Brooklyn’s Jake Pinto announces the release of his upcoming album Sad Songs for Happy People, on March 31st. The album was set for release right when the pandemic hit, and then further delayed when Jake’s talents were sought out by Miami psych-funksters Magic City Hippies and Brooklyn’s afrobeat Antibalas, leading to months of global touring.
Pinto’s eclectic musical story has shaped a charmingly honest solo debut rich in instinctive melodicism and cultured arrangements. Being a jazz musician since his early teens, Jake attended NYU for jazz piano and was soon booking gigs and festivals worldwide, including the Blue Note in New York City and Milan.
While still in college, Jake Pinto found himself already playing alongside genre luminaries like François Mouton, Ralph Lalama, and the late Lew Soloff. He went on to play prestigious engagements, including the Montreal and Rochester International jazz festivals.
Getting back to writing on piano, Jake found fresh excitement and energy. He began working with a diverse variety of artists at Silverman’s Future Sounds studio in Brooklyn, and on off days, he would bring in his own band and record what would become Sad Songs for Happy People, much of it tracked live on vintage, analog equipment.
“The Beatles are still my favorite band, but I was also obsessed with D’Angelo for so long,” Pinto says. “And I love the crooners like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra; the directness of how they sing and tell stories. It’s a hard thing to do, to tell show-tune stories in a way that doesn’t feel corny.”
The result of this album is 11 ultra-accomplished tracks of eclectic, Americana, and blues-flecked indie rock delivered straight from the source. These are songs emotional and quality rather than adherence to genre or style.
“There’s something beautiful about taking a sad song and putting it to a bright beat and bright instrumental,” Jake continued. “Just an interesting combination of melancholy, nostalgia, love, and happiness.”
To pre-save Sad Songs for Happy People, click the link here.
For more music by Jack Pinto, click the link here.
Grammy-Award winners Jason Isbell and the 400 Unithas announced the upcoming release of their eighth album, Weathervanes, along with a brand new North American tour.
Written and produced by Isbell, Weathervanes features 13 brand new tracks. “Death Wish,” the debut release from the collection, is available now. Weathervanes is a collection of grown-up songs: Songs about adult love, about change, about the danger of nostalgia and the interrogation of myths, about cruelty and regret and redemption. Some will make you cry alone in your car and others will make you sing along with thousands of strangers in a big summer pavilion, united in the great miracle of being alive. Isbell is a storyteller at the peak of his craft, observing his fellow wanderers, looking inside and trying to understand, reducing a universe to four minutes.
“There is something about boundaries on this record,” said Isbell. “As you mature, you still attempt to keep the ability to love somebody fully and completely while you’re growing into an adult and learning how to love yourself.”
Jason Isbell
Weathervanes was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio and features Jason Isbell’s Grammy-winning band, The 400 Unit. Special guests include GRAMMY winner Amanda Shires and harmonicist Mickey Raphael, with background vocals on “If You Insist“ by renowned producer and engineer Sylvia Massy & Ian RickardandStrings on “Death Wish” by Morgan O’Shaughnessey.
Also announced today, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will be hitting the road throughout the summer, including a show at Artpark Mainstage Theater in Lewiston on August 5.
It’s once again time to gear up for the biggest musical showdown in New York State – NYS Music March Madness! For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers.
March Madness 2023 is set to feature 64 up-and-coming artists and bands, hand-selected by the NYS Music team for their unique sound and undeniable talent. With the help of our dedicated sponsors, NYS Music March Madness provides a platform for these musicians to showcase their skills, gain exposure and be discovered. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to listen, vote, and join us in the madness!
With the aide of our sponsors, NYS Music March Madness is a way for artists to be heard, grow and discovered. Go Listen. Go Vote. And let the Madness begin.
NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands and artists.
Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night!
The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
Having a huge calendar each month with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. The Strand creates community through music and the related arts in Hudson Falls.
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and vote for your favorites on Page 2!
Rock and Roll legends KISS announce their final set of shows on The End of The Road Tour, coming to the city where their career began- New York City, on Dec. 1 and 2, as well as other cities.
KISS was formed in New York City in 1973 on 23rd Street, composed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. They are one of the best-selling bands of all time with 44 album releases, selling more than 100 million records worldwide, including 21 million RIAA-certified albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 for their influence on rock music and their eye-catching aesthetic, inspiring many.
In a statement, the band said, “It will be a privilege and honor to finish touring at Madison Square Garden, 10 blocks and 50 years from where we first started.” Their final tour will be hitting MSG on Dec. 1 and 2, concluding their run of about 50 years. Tickets will be available starting Monday, March 6, with a KISS Army presale at 10 a.m. Additional presales will be available throughout the week before the general on-sale starting on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
New York City is home to dozens of iconic music venues, from the Apollo Theater to Radio City Music Hall. But while these glamorous theaters continue to stand the test of time, others live on in memory rather than physical form.
Take CBGB, which closed in 2006. The dark and dingy space nurtured the emerging NY punk scene throughout the 70s, hosting the Ramones and Blondie among others. Now, the punks might be saddened to find, it is home to a high-end Italian art gallery.
But there is one venue, located in Island Park, NY that is even less talked about –The Action House – perhaps Long Island’s premier music venue in the 60’s and 70’s. It was the epitome of cool and a nurturing force for the local music scene, yet it was often overshadowed by New York City’s powerful glow.
The Action House, located in Island Park, NY – Photo from mindsmokemusic.com
But the Action House had its own unique vibe. It had grit, grime and a rebellious streak all its own. Part dance hall, part club (a common configuration of the time), the venue was also capable of pulling in big name acts like the Doors and Canned Heat.
In perhaps one of the Action House’s most infamous shows, the Doors took the stage for a two night performance on June 16 and 17th, 1967. Legend has it that on the first night, Jim Morrison slugged 15 shots of Jack Daniels whiskey back to back before taking the stage. He would attempt it again once more mid-set. While the first night was certainly one for the ages, the second night was perhaps the Door’s shortest and most lackluster performance ever. The hungover Morrison didn’t sing much, instead moaning into the microphone until his bandmates decided to drag him off the stage.
Jim Morrison Performs at the Action House in Island Park, NY – Photo from Mild Equator
Adding to the intrigue, the Action House was also owned by Phil Basile, a known associate of the Lucchese crime family mob. This wasn’t necessarily out of the ordinary for the era, but it did invite a world of chaos and an interesting crowd into the fold of the Action House.
Mike Ricciardella, drummer for The Illusion, described it like this:
“The Action House was a wild place back then. The bouncers were nuts and very wild! The drug scene was wild! The chick scene was wild! The parking lot scene was the wildest, though. Really nuts. The parking lot was the place where the crowd hung out and got high. Inside was rock’n’roll, outside was Fantasyland.”
– Mike Ricciardella
Frequent performers included the Vagrants, featuring guitarist Leslie West who would eventually co-found the band, Mountain. The Hassles featured a young Billy Joel. And then there was the Vanilla Fudge. The band was actually managed by Basile, who in addition to owning the club and his various other escapades also served as an artist and tour manager.
An Action House flyer with the Vagrants and the Vanilla Fudge on the lineup – Photo from mindsmokemusic.com
But this relationship led to some “interesting scenarios,” to put it mildly, as reported by theLong Island Press:
“The mob-connected Action House was paying The Vagrants an exorbitant $1,500-a-night fee for a grueling 28-day-a-month schedule. This led the garage rockers to get creative with their performances. They incorporated pyrotechnics into their act, having fireworks explode as one of their songs reached its peak. One night after a performance, however, a leftover explosive wound up torching the stage along with all of the band’s instruments. This somehow did not throw them off schedule; the booking agency had them equipped with new instruments and ready to play the very next day.”
A playbill for the Grateful Dead and The New Riders of The Purple Sage at the Action House on Nov 9-10, 1970 – Photo via concertarchives.org
Other notable performers included the Yardbirds in ‘68 and the Grateful Dead alongside The New Riders of the Purple Sage in November of 1970. (You can listen to parts of the set here)
Shortly after the Dead’s performance in 1970, the Action House featured a series of name changes. It was briefly known as the Rock Pile, as documented on this short feature piece by the New York Times back in 1971.
A New York Times article from 1971 about the Action House, when it was known as the Rock Pile.
The club declined further in the 80’s as DJs and dance clubs began to grow in popularity
It is unclear when the Action House officially closed its doors. As for the present, according to the blog Mind Smoke Music, The Action House was torn down over a decade ago. Back in 2018, the author of the blog found it had since been rezoned for condo development. The parking lot across the street was at the time a self-storage facility.
Now, the Action House, a relic of a bygone area, lives on only in memory of the lucky and the damned that got to experience it in its heyday. Further tales and legends of the venue can be found in the comment sections on blog sites like Streets You Crossed, where patrons of the Action House fondly recall their own memories of the club.
Based on these accounts, the venue lives up it name – a place where a lot of action went down.
Brooklyn-born rapper CeddyJay released his debut extended play, “Heartbroken In England” on Feb. 25. His EP was born out of heartbreak, detailing the emotions from his trip to England for love, and not getting what he hoped for. The single “Ginger” was released ahead of the EP on Feb. 14.
Cover of CeddyJay’s Heartbroken in England. Credit: Spotify
CeddyJay grew up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush and is of Haitian descent. Pursuing his career since the age of five, he quickly became a hit in New York City’s hip-hop scene. He has been compared to the likes of J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, but still has his own unique style. CeddyJay draws audiences in with his special sound and catchy lyrics, and fans are certain to be entertained by all four tracks on his EP. The previously mentioned debut single, “Ginger” stands out as the best track from Heartbroken In England, followed shortly by the opening track, “Broken.“
The EP signifies a new chapter in Ceddyjay’s career. As they say, cliche as it is, “everything happens for a reason.” The rapper certainly found his reason, being the creation of a powerful EP reflecting the raw emotions of heartbreak and the resilience it takes to move on. Significantly, CeddyJay’s music is versatile. His music simultaneously showcases his love for music and personal experiences, telling a story that many can relate to.
The Knottie Boys, a rising punk rock band from New York, are scheduled to perform their EP A Face Fulla Dirt twice in New York this spring. Their first performance will be at Club Odyssey in Oneonta on April 9 at 7 p.m. This will be followed on April 11 at 6 p.m. with a performance at Amityville Music Hall in Long Island, part of Makes My Blood Dance’s tour.
A Face Fulla Dirt, The Knottie Boys’ EP
A Face Fulla Dirt compiles five punk rock tracks from The Knottie Boys. The entire EP can be enjoyed in less than a half hour (for those in a rush, at least.) Otherwise, it’s safe to say the crowd will be demanding an encore at their Oneonta and Long Island shows. There’s enough variety in their music for everyone to enjoy, but there’s still more than enough energy in their tracks to sustain an action-packed live performance. If you’re looking for a fun night out with live music, The Knottie Boys are a band you can’t miss.
New York natives, The Knottie Boys formed in 2018 after high school. At the time, they were working at Hot Topic. The band is known for its theatrical playing style and story-driven songs. Their entire EP can now be listened to on Spotify. For more information, check out their official website.
The Knottie Boys’ Tour Schedule:
Sun, Apr 9, 7:00 P.M:Odyssey, 80 Water Street, Oneonta
Tue, Apr 11, 6:00 P.M:Amityville Music Hall, 198 Broadway, Amityville
Multi-disciplinary Upper West Side performing arts center, Symphony Space l, has announced their annual Wall to Wall Women of Soul performance. The production entails a night of commemorating the contributions of women to the music industry. You won’t want to miss a night of classic hits from your favorite female artists.
Kathy Landau, an executive director for Symphony Space revealed the details for 2023’s Wall to Wall Women of Soul. The event consists of marathon performances revisiting towering artistic legacies, which The New York Times has described as “an annual gift to New York City.”
Curated by Monique Martin, Wall to Wall Women of Soul showcases extraordinary singers, musicians, dancers, and thinkers celebrating the contributions of women across generations and genres. The event can be enjoyed at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space on April 1, from 3-11pm.
The Wall to Wall Women of Soul features stars including singer, songwriter, and producer Nona Hendryx, with an all women orchestra. Performing will also be Grammy-winning singer-songwriter J. Hoard, with other singers such as Xavier Smith, Martha Redbone, Marija Abney, Marcelle Davies Lashley, and Anthony Mills. Lastly, the pianist Dj Elew, author, producer, and creative executive Thembisa Mshaka, and the members of Ladies of Hip-Hop will also take the stage. Admission for both in-person and live-stream tickets are free.
Tony- and Emmy-winning actress, singer, and dancer LaChanze has joined the lineup along with the recent additions of all-female salsa band Lulada Club and poet Mahogany L. Browne, on video.
“The contributions of women to soul music are often overlooked or reduced to a few artists and hits. The truth is that women continue to expand the genre’s canon, using their voices to disrupt, heal, inspire, protest, and transmit joy, by creating music that speaks to the moment. Audiences will experience music they know and love to sing and dance to, as well as fresh interpretations and new music to discover, at Wall to Wall Women of Soul.”
-Monique Martin
Symphony Space’s foundational mission is to unite art, ideas, and community through performances and a commitment to literacy and education through the arts. Recognized for ground-breaking programs like Wall to Wall Women and their innovative Global Arts education, Symphony Space provides original and affordable/free programming for the people of New York City. You can also see the efforts of Symphony Space’s desire to build communities, transcend barriers, and celebrate both our similarities and differences through tours, public radio broadcasts, podcasts, and virtual events.
The independent creative producer, artist, curator Monique Martin, has partnered with and produced for Joe’s Pub, Disney Theatricals and Apollo Theater. Martin has additionally worked with New Victory Theater, Southbank Centre/UK, The Met Museum, Park Avenue Armory, NJPAC, Queens Theater in the Park and HBO.
More information about Symphony Space’s Wall to Wall Women of Soul can be accessed here.
Rock group Weezer announced the Indie Rock Roadtrip Tour set for this summer, joined by some of the biggest names in indie rock today, coming to CMAC and Forest Hills Stadium in July.
The summer tour will support last year’s release of SZNZ, the season-themed collection of EPs Weezer shared throughout each quarter of 2022. They’ve sold over ten million records in the United States and 35 million worldwide. Created in 1992, the group came together when Rivers Cuomo joined Patrick Wilson, Matt Sharp, and Jason Cropper, who Brian Bell later replaced. Some of their hits include “Buddy Holly,” “Undone (The Sweater Song,” “Say It Ain’t So,” “Island In The Sun,” and many more.
The Indie Rock Roadtrip features openers Modest Mouse and Momma, Future Islands and Joyce Manor, Spoon, and White Reaper. The tour will be coming to CMAC on July 3 and Forest Hills Stadium on July 13. Tickets are on sale on Friday, March 3 at 10 a.m., for more information, go here.
Weezer Tour
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Huntsville, AL, USA
The Orion Amphitheater
Modest Mouse, Momma
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Irving, TX, USA
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Modest Mouse, Momma
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Austin, TX, USA
Germania Insurance AmphitheaterModest Mouse, Momma
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Zoo Amphitheatre
Modest Mouse, Momma
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Bonner Springs, KS, USA
Azura Amphitheater
Modest Mouse, Momma
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Minneapolis, MN, USA
The Armory
Modest Mouse, Momma
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Madison, WI, USA
Breese Stevens Field
Modest Mouse, Momma
Friday, June 16, 2023
Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA
Blossom Music Center
Modest Mouse, Momma
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Clarkston, MI, USA
Pine Knob Music Theatre
Modest Mouse, Momma
Friday, June 23, 2023
Columbia, MD, USA
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Charlotte, NC, USA
PNC Music Pavilion
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Alpharetta, GA, USA
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Philadelphia, PA, USA
TD Pavilion at The Mann
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Bridgeport, CT, USA
Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Friday, June 30, 2023
Bangor, ME, USA
Maine Savings Amphitheater
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Worcester, MA, USA
The Palladium Outdoors
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Monday, July 3, 2023
Canandaigua, NY, USA
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC)
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Toronto, ON, Canada
Budweiser Stage
Future Islands, Joyce Manor
Sunday, July 9, 2023
Gary, IN, USA
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana – Hard Rock Live
Hip-hop icons Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announce the 2023 co-headline run of their N.Y. State of Mind Tour, spanning multiple continents and stopping at the Barclays Center on Sept. 27.
Wu-Tang Clan
Last year the group went on a sold-out run of the 2022 N.Y. State of Mind Tour, being nominated for Pollstar’s 2022 Hip Hop Tour of The Year. Founded in New York City’s Staten Island in the early 1990s, the Wu-Tang Clan is comprised of members RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and the deceased Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB). Considered by many to be the most significant hip-hop group of all time, the group has three platinum albums among their eight LPs, and the group’s complete anthology (including solo albums) has more than 85 full-length releases. They are also entrepreneurs and successful cultural influencers, with an empire that features everything from clothing lines and video games to books, and more.
Nas (Nasir Jones) first reached an international audience when his track “Halftime” was the opening cut on 1992’s Zebrahead movie soundtrack. His first full-length album arrived in 1994, Illmatic, becoming RIAA platinum, featuring “It Ain’t Hard To Tell,” “The World Is Yours,” and “One.” In 1996 he released the breakthrough double-platinum It Was Written with his first major crossover singles “Street Dreams” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That).” He has released many albums since then, his 2012 album, Life Is Good earned him 4 Grammy nominations including Rap Album of the Year, and is certified RIAA gold. He won the “Best Rap Album” Grammy at the 2021 awards for the 2020 release King’s Disease. King’s Disease.
The 32-date global tour kicks off on May 9 in Auckland, New Zealand at Spark Arena, and will be stopping at the Barclays Center on Sept. 27. Tickets will be available beginning with American Express Early Access on Feb. 28 in select North American markets. Additional presales will be available throughout the week before the general on-sale starting March 3 at 9 a.m. Fans in North America can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, access to the VIP Lounge, a limited edition numbered tour poster, and more. For more information, go here.
2023 N.Y. STATE OF MIND TOUR DATES:
AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND
Tue May 9 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena
Fri May 12 – Brisbane, AU – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sat May 13 – Sydney, AU – Qudos Bank Arena
Sun May 14 – Melbourne, AU – Rod Laver Arena
EUROPE
Fri June 2 – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena
Sat June 3 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena
Mon June 5 – Berlin, DE – Parkbuhne Wuhlheide
Tues June 6 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
Wed June 7 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena
Fri June 9 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Mon June 12 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tue June 13 – London, UK – The O2
NORTH AMERICA
Wed Sep 20 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Fri Sep 22 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Sat Sep 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Sun Sep 24 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino^
Tue Sep 26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Wed Sep 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Fri Sep 29 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Sun Oct 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Mon Oct 02 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
Wed Oct 04 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Sat Oct 07 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Sun Oct 08 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Tue Oct 10 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
Fri Oct 13 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Sat Oct 14 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Mon Oct 16 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Tue Oct 17 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Wed Oct 18 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sat Oct 21 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
