NYS Music 2023

Category: Brooklyn

  • The National Reserve Announce Spring And Summer Tour Dates

    Brooklyn’s The National Reserve have announced their newest tour, taking place across the East Coast this spring and summer, including a residency at Skinny Dennis in their native Brooklyn.

    The national reserve

    Founded and fronted by singer-guitarist Sean Walsh, The National Reserve mines an archetypal musical seam, pulling together from countless influences to form their own timeless brand of American music.

    For the past decade, The National Reserve have spent Friday nights lighting it up at Brooklyn bars, winning over fans with epic sets and a remarkable breadth of song-craft and showmanship. Since the release of their debut album in 2018, they brought that same energy across the US, Europe and Canada, sharing stages with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, John Moreland and others along the way.

    After their most successful year in 2019, playing nearly 200 shows, the pandemic brought everything to a screeching halt. However, frontman Sean Walsh wasn’t one to sit and wait it out. The National Reserve released four recordings in 2020, including an unreleased live recording from Norway and three EPs recorded live in studio. The band is currently working on their second full length release in 2023.

    The National Reserve Tour Dates

    April 7 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    April 14 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    April 21 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    April 28 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    April 29 – Askew – Providence, RI

    May 5 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    May 6 – The Barn – South Egremont, MA 

    May 13 – Albino Skunk Music Festival – Greer, SC 

    May 19 – Dominion River Rock – Richmond, VA

    May 20 – Dürty Nelly’s Pub – Charlottesville, VA

    May 21 – River Road Fam – Franklin, VA 

    May 26 – Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY

    June 2 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    June 9 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    June 16 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    June 23 – Skinny Dennis – Brooklyn, NY

    July 1 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA

    For More Information, and to purchase tickets, please visit the bands website.

  • In Focus: Melody’s Echo Chamber astound at Music Hall of Williamsburg

    If Melody’s Echo Chamber were to release a recording of their performance at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sunday, April 2, the second of back-to-back sold out shows, I would buy it immediately. This was their first show in New York City in nearly eight years, and based on how the crowd responded to this one, they won’t have trouble selling out more whenever they come back.

    The band was an absolute force on stage from the moment they kicked off their set with “Endless Shore.” And throughout their set, they brought already-excellent songs to life in rollicking fashion while staying true to the vibe established in the studio versions. It’s one thing to listen to a band’s records, but when a band is this good live, getting to feel the music and have it played loud hits harder.

    Hailing from France and led by Melody Prochet on vocals in both French and English, synth, and tambourine, the band featured Reinhardt N. Fischer on guitar, bass, and synth, Frederik Swahn on bass and guitar, Johan Holmegard on drums, and Jay Pich on guitar and backing vocals. And all five of them were excellent.

    Not that there were any doubts about where the night was going after the first few songs, but “Some Time Alone, Alone” off the band’s self-titled 2013 release was an early standout in the set, showcasing the band’s collective and individual talents. And the setlist was very well crafted, with a mix of songs from all of the band’s studio releases intertwined, with songs from the self-titled album serving as the backbone.

    “Quand les Larmes D’un Ange Font Danser la Neige” closed out the main set, and about halfway through the song, Prochet exited the Music Hall of Williamsburg stage, allowing the full focus of the audience to remain on the rest of the band as they blasted through a jam that felt like it could last forever.

    Music Hall of Williamsburg

    As for the encore, the band kicked into the super popular “I Follow You,” one of their catchiest. And they closed out with “Cross My Heart,” the first track off Bon Voyage, another one that felt like time had stopped specifically for the audience to bask in the sound of this incredible band.

    If you’re looking to catch the band live and happen to be out west in the fall, they’re playing Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Those shows are just days before Desert Daze, and while there’s no lineup info about the festival yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if they wound up playing there, too.

    Setlist: Endless Shore, Looking Backward, Mount Hopeless, The Hypnotist, Some Time Alone, Alone; Personal Message, Quand vas-tu rentrer?, Pêcheuse de Lune, Bisou Magique, Unfold, Where the Water Clears the Illusion, Crystallized, Shirim, Visions of Someone Special, on a Wall of Reflection; Alma, Quand les larmes d’un ange font danser la neige

    Encore: I Follow You, Cross My Heart

  • Bushwick’s Dead to Premiere on May 7 at Brooklyn Made

    Bushwick’s Dead, a new series launching in May at Brooklyn Made in Bushwick, features a rotating roster of local jam bands on the first Sunday of the month. The first three shows have been announced and include bands covering The Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles and Steely Dan. 

    Bushwick’s Dead is produced by Brooklyn-based production company Loop Troupe, which has a history of producing series and residencies. Loop Troupe launched Walrus with a six-month long weekly residency at The Delancey before Walrus started playing larger venues like Brooklyn Bowl and Brooklyn Made.  

    The first show of the series, on Sunday, May 7th, features Walrus and Near Dead Experience. Walrus is a Brooklyn based jam band playing the music of the Beatles and Near Dead Experience brings a fresh and dynamic energy to the Grateful Dead catalog. The two groups have previously performed shows together at Brooklyn Bowl. 

    Walrus is Chris Mackin (Guitar/Vocals), Josh Santiago (Guitar/Vocals), Dan Shein (Drums), Satoko Mori (Keyboard/Vocals), Jason Figueredo (Vocals), & Will Corona (Bass/Vocals). The members of Walrus have previously performed together in Loop Troupe Family Band, an original funk band.

    On Sunday, June 4th, Dead Meat, an electrifying tribute to The Grateful Dead, is supported by Steely Jams, a one time only experiment to jam on songs from the Steely Dan catalog. Dead Meat has become a fan favorite known for their moving harmonies, high-energy blocks of music and routinely pushing the limits of Dead’s vast catalog. The band’s unique renditions of timeless classics make them a must see, whether you’re a lifelong Dead head or a casual listener. 

    On Sunday, July 2nd, Uncle Ebenezer and Strangers Stopping Stopping play the music of the worlds two most iconic jam bands, Phish and The Grateful Dead. Uncle Ebenezer are four musicians and Phish fans who are dedicated to spreading the joy and excitement of the live Phish experience. Strangers Stopping Strangers bring a youthful energy to the music of the Grateful Dead. The band approaches the songs with a folk and bluegrass influence, much like the original members of the Dead.

    Brooklyn Made is located at 428 Troutman St. Doors open at 6pm, with 7pm showtime. Tickets are $15 advance / $15 day of show and available here

    Stay tuned for future show announcements and never miss a sunday show! 

  • Romi O Releases Punk/Aesthetic Single “M2M” 

    Brooklyn’s Romi O has just released her second ever single “M2M” on Friday, March 24th, a ballad you won’t want to miss. The single is brilliant, having a truly one-of-a-kind musical journey feel to it; retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music.  

    Understanding the flow of “M2M” requires a bit of a backstory about the artist. This is the second single from her upcoming debut album, which is expected to be released later in 2023. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, Romi O has been making music ever since she can remember. She continued to develop her songwriting chips, eventually switching from singing and writing in Hebrew to performing in English. 

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    Romi O’s sound is unique because of the juxtaposition of understated textures, relatable lyrics, and hard-hitting grooves. By the time she turned 22, the artist had relocated to Brooklyn, where she had sought a fresh start in music. She co-founded the band “PowerSnap” to pursue high-octane punk and garage aesthetics.  

    Eventually, Romi O circled back to her initial fondness for ballads. The resulting sound she made is truly one-of-a-kind, still retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music. But this time, in “M2M,” she comes to light in a soothing, softer way that makes her sound more intriguing and dynamic. 

    Her chosen stage name comes from the beloved figure of “Romeo,” from Shakespeare’s timeless “Romeo and Juliette” play. Being a huge fan of Shakespeare herself, Rome O felt a truly special connection to the character.  

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    The single stands out as an example of her art and musical craft. The song deals with the idea of always being ready to question life choices and decisions and approaching everything without the fear of taking things too seriously. It’s important to find a balance, and the song is a very poignant observation of the fleeting nature of the path we carve for ourselves in life with our choices.  

    Romi O Releases Her Second Single “M2M” 

    The song’s music video feels like another layer. In a way, it is another approach to telling the story, and it offers a visual representation of the core concept that drives this release. Overall, it features some punchy electronic sounds, as well as organic elements such as vocals and guitars to round up the wide palette of sonic colors on this song. 

    To listen and watch the music video for “M2M,” click the link here. 

    To listen to more music by Romi O, click the link here. 

  • The Murder Capital Deliver Raw and Dynamic Performance in Brooklyn

    Irish post-punk group, The Murder Capital, hailing from Dublin, performed at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday, March 28th.

    The Murder Capital Live at The Music Hall of Williamsburg
    The Murder Capital, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    Brooklyn was the last stop on the band’s debut North American tour before it was shuttered in early 2020, only performing twice. Since then, they have played all across Europe and the UK, finally making their way back overseas this month, hot off the release of their self-released (on Human Season Records) second album, Gigi’s Recovery, this past January.

    The Murder Capital, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    Much like the album, the show brought a fully realized, introspective post-punk set with dynamic energy that elevated the record for the 650-capacity venue.

    The show started with For Everything, the brooding opener off their debut album, When I Have Fears, which released in 2019.

    The Murder Capital, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    They continued on at a monstrous pace, invoking a few raucous mosh pits, making it to a newer track, Return My Head and onto More Is Less.

    There were moments of Radiohead imbued with Bauhaus, sharing a great polyphonic relationship between both guitars and bass, with the drums driving the rhythm amidst every harsh snare hit, most notably in the 2-part song, Slowdance I+II. Frontman James McGovern’s poetic lyricism gracefully complemented every movement, switching between thunderous bellows and spoken pieces.

    The Murder Capital, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    The North American Gigi’s Recovery Tour continues through April, where the band will make a surely momentous visit to California’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, followed by a few other international festival appearances throughout the rest of the Summer.

    The Murder Capital | Music Hall of Williamsburg | Brooklyn, NY | March 28, 2023

    Setlist: For Everything, Return My Head, More Is Less, The Stars Will Leave Their Stage, Green & Blue, Crying, A Thousand Lives, Gigi’s Recovery, Slowdance I, Slowdance II, We Had to Disappear, Feeling Fades, Only Good Things, Don’t Cling to Life, Ethel

    The Murder Capital
    The Murder Capital

  • Telecom Debuts on the Music Scene with Captivating single “Ramon”

    New band Telecom, from Brooklyn-based musician Sean McVerry, has released their debut single, “Ramon” on March 21 and have plans to release more music soon. Telecom melds 60s brit-pop, late 2000s New York indie grit, and cheeky theatrics. McVerry has worked and toured with artists such as Karen O, Danger Mouse, and Aurora.

    Telecom members, from left to right: Andres Valbuena, Zeno Pittarelli, and Jonathan Sacca. Credit: Matt Speno

    Telecon comprises Andres Valbuena on drums, Zeno Pittarelli on guitar, Jonathan Sacca on bass, and several other Brooklyn musicians. Their founder, Sean McVerry, is a New York music scene veteran, and recently on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he won the show’s “instant songwriter” segment. Telecom has earned millions of streams on music platforms, and music has been featured on several television shows such as NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Adult Swim on Cartoon Network.

    Telecom’s debut single “Ramon” and its upcoming counterpart were co-produced and mixed by former DFA engineer Abe Seiferth at Brookly’s Transmitter Park studios. McVerry moved a free piano he found on Craigslist into the apartment, (nearly crushing himself to death) and the songs quickly came together. He started working on the songs in late 2020 in his home studio in Crown Heights, as a way to express his feelings about the Covid-19 pandemic. The songs provide different takes on the situation, with “Ramon” describing McVerry’s feelings of being trapped with his neighbors in their Brooklyn apartment building. Both songs remained dormant until a writing retreat with Pittarelli and Rahn in 2021, at which point Telecom was beginning to take form.

    If Telecom’s future music is anything like “Ramon,” the band is certain to have a long and successful career ahead of them. Upon listening to their debut single, audiences are sure to be eager for more by Telecom. McVerry truly found magic with the three artists that make up the group.

    McVerry said of Telecom’s Debut Single:

    ‘Ramon’ began with a free piano from Craigslist. After mining a ’70s drum break from my vinyl collection, I laid down the initial cassette tape demo of the song. The track thumps along a hypnotic groove, as the speaker romanticizes the cat in the courtyard, and the introspection that comes with isolation.

    “Ramon” is now streaming.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O1nCFGx0cE

  • Justin Meyer Releases Single “Friends With Fear” 

    Brooklyn-based artist, producer, and engineer Justin Meyer has just released his newest single “Friends With Fear,” out Friday, March 24th. Inspired by Justin’s journey of graduating during the pandemic, the single puts a positive spin on uncertainty and the shared experience of having a quarter-life crisis.  

    Justin Meyer Releases Single “Friends With Fear” 

    Written in 2022, “Friends With Fear” explores the experience of having a quarter-life crisis while confronting the unique challenges of graduating during a pandemic. The upbeat track fuses thought-provoking lyrics with Lily Kelso’s background vocals and Alden Spence’s electric guitar layers to create an undeniably hypnotic sound.  

    Sharing more behind the song’s inspiration, Justin Meyer explains, “‘Friends With Fear’ is about having a quarter-life crisis and trying to be okay with life’s unknowns. I went through college during the pandemic and graduated a year early, leaving me feeling this sense of time slipping away very quickly. I got super focused on the impermanence of life for about a year. This song is about making friends with those feelings and letting them settle instead of fighting them and making them even worse. Furthermore, it’s about reclaiming the joy of being alive.” 

    Hailing from Golden, Colorado, Justin Meyer has had a lifelong passion for music. In 2019, he followed his dream and moved across the country to pursue his Music Production and Engineering degree at the renowned Berklee College of Music.  

    “Justin’s musical career has just begun, but I see it continuing into the far future.”

    —The Crescent Magazine 

    After graduating in 2021, he moved to Brooklyn, New York, and secured a position as an assistant engineer at the prestigious Kensaltown East studio. With his latest single, “Friends With Fear,” Justin continues to demonstrate his exceptional production and songwriting prowess. 

    Justin Meyer Releases Single “Friends With Fear” 

    Prior to his studies at Berklee, Justin had already begun to hone his sound with his first two EPs, Afterthought and Dreams. During the 2020 lockdown, Justin kept busy, producing his first album Metanoia released in 2021. His third EP, Lonely Rock Star, was recorded as part of Justin’s capstone project at Berklee and featured instrumentation by fellow Berklee alumni.  

    Afterthought EP (2019)

    Justin has had the pleasure of collaborating with many talented artists such as Mae McCoy, Lily Kelso, Aldo Rey, and Claire Donzelli. Returning with his latest single, “Friends With Fear,” Justin continues to demonstrate his exceptional production and songwriting prowess. 

    To listen to “Friends With Fear,” click the link here. 

    For more music by Justin Meyer, click the link here. 

  • Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre Cuts Ties with Ticketmaster

    The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn has announced that as of March 27, fans can only purchase tickets via ATG Tickets which are available for purchase through their box office and website. 

    The Kings Theatre

    The Kings Theatre was built in 1929 as one of the five original Loew’s Wonder Theaters, originally a movie palace live performance venue featuring vaudeville reviews. The movie palace was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House and became stagnant after its closing in 1979 until undergoing restoration in 2013. In 2015, the venue was officially opened as the Kings Theatre with a debut performance by Diana Ross. Now the theatre is widely recognized for being a cultural and economic cornerstone of the Flatbush community, and a great addition to Brooklyn’s cultural landscape as a whole. The venue announced that their new ticket service is ATG Tickets, only available for purchase through their website or box office.

    Ticketmaster has come under fire the past few months for the mishandling of the presale ticket sale of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, causing fans to not be able to access tickets, getting booted out of the ticket queue, and overselling the presale quantity so fans without Verified Fan codes were unable to get tickets at all. It has become the largest ticket-selling company in the world, despite the fact that in 1994 Pearl Jam famously filed a complaint with the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice, citing that Ticketmaster has a “virtually absolute monopoly on the distribution of tickets to concerts.”

    In January, Live Nation Entertainment, the concert industry giant that owns Ticketmaster, came under attack at a Senate Judiciary hearing, with both sides criticizing the botched sales of tickets, and calling the company a monopoly that hinders competition and harms consumers. Some questioned whether the two merging companies should be broken up once their agreement with the Justice Department expires in 2025. According to various estimates cited by the senators, Ticketmaster controls ticketing at 70 to 80 percent of major concert venues in the United States, making them indeed a monopoly.

    Other tours have also been affected by Ticketmaster, like Drake and Beyoncés. Platinum tickets, or tickets that the company purposely sells for higher prices because they know fans will buy them, were a big issue for both of these tours, with some tickets nearing $1,000. The Cure recently announced a North American tour, utilizing the Ticketmaster Verified Fan system, where fans with verified accounts are randomly selected for presale codes to purchase tickets earlier than the general public. Robert Smith of the band spoke publicly on his Twitter account disagreeing with the idea of platinum ticketing, and the fees that Ticketmaster puts on tickets, which are sometimes close to the cost of the actual ticket. Since he was so open about his distaste for the company, Ticketmaster gave credit to accounts who bought tickets to see The Cure as a consultation for the expensive fees.

    https://twitter.com/RobertSmith/status/1636073365373956100?s=20

    The Kings Theatre has been one of the few venues to fully switch away from Ticketmaster, possibly creating a trend of major venues boycotting the monopoly. The theatre switching to only using their website and box offices for ticket purchases will have positive effects on fans trying to purchase tickets, hopefully putting an end to outrageous fees and long wait times. For fans that have purchased tickets through Ticketmaster for the theatre’s events, they will be transferred to the new system. For more information about the Kings Theatre and to view future events, visit here.

  • Fifth Annual Sound Mind Music Festival set for May 20 in Brooklyn

    Sound Mind Live has announced the fifth annual Sound Music Festival for Mental Health will take place on Saturday, May 20, between Irving Ave and Wyckoff Ave in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The free event, which starts at 12 p.m., will feature a number of performers including Iron & Wine, Hiss Golden Messenger, Langhorne Slim, Kamauu, and Pom Pom Squad, and includes DJ sets from House of Yes, Food by Smorgsaburg, Yoga and Sound, Bath Sessions, and more.

    BetterHelp is partnering with Sound Mind Live for this year’s Sound Music Festival

    For this year’s festival, the world’s largest therapy platform, BetterHelp, is partnering with Sound Mind Live to provide a month of free therapy for their combined communities.

    “We’re so proud to partner with Sound Mind on this amazing festival,” Co-founder of House of Yes Anya
    Sapozhnikova says.

    Additionally, containing its focus on mental health awareness, the Sound Music Festival will host a series of panels in partnership with Absurd Conclave, including Mental Health in Communities of Color, Mental Health in the Music Industry, The Importance Of Fostering Community, and more.

    Research shows that since the pandemic, more people have contemplated self-harm, with one in four youth having considered suicide, and the fall out of post-pandemic depression is expected to last 3-5 years. The upcoming Sound Mind Music Festival hopes to bring about deeper community connections for healing and elevate conversations and resources that can help those in need find affordable resources sooner.

    “Over the past several years the world recognized that mental health issues impact us all in one form
    or another,” Executive Director of Sound Mind Live Chris Bullard says.

    Guests will have the opportunity to make a donation and enjoy a VIP experience, which includes an enhanced viewing area, a private bar, and complimentary swag bags. This year’s Sound Music Festival is in partnership with over 10 music artists, 3 local venues, and over 20 mental health organizations including National Alliance on Mental Illness, JED Foundation, and TransLifeline, and is supported by the Society of Valued Minds, an initiative of Otsuka America, Pharmaceutical, Inc., BetterHelp, Sozosei Foundation, and G4D Productions. Media partners include YouTube Health and Consequence.

    While this year’s Sound Music Festival for Mental Health in Brooklyn is free, tickets are still needed to enter the event and can be found here.

  • Caroline Rose Debuts New Album at Newly Reopened Tower Labs

    Caroline Rose celebrated the launch of her new album, “The Art of Forgetting” and debuted her short film of the same name on Friday (March 24, 2023). Tucked away in a red brick building in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY sits Tower Records’ newly reopened event space, Tower Labs.

    Caroline Rose introducing her short film at Tower Labs, photograph by David Reichmann

    The intimate setting was perfect for the debut of Caroline’s short film, featuring three songs off the new album. She briefly introduced the album onstage, saying it was a dark time and was a very difficult record to create. The crowd enjoyed an open bar, a polaroid photo booth, and unique merchandise to commemorate the album.

    Caroline Rose album release party at Tower Labs, photograph by David Reichmann

    You can listen to Caroline Rose’s music here. She returns to New York on April 12th for a show at Webster Hall, and you can purchase tickets here.

    Caroline Rose merchandise, photograph by David Reichmann