Ambient Country band SUSS announced on Feb. 22 that they are staging a four-night concert series in their hometown, Long Island City, this spring. The concert series will take place over four consecutive Fridays, from March 31-April 21 at the Culture Lab. All four sides of their self-titled LP will be featured in the series.
SUSS and Culture Lab have worked together in the past, including co-producing the 2021 concert film Promise Live. Night 1will feature Night Suite, side 1 of the double LP. Night 2 will feature side 2, Heat Haze. Side 3, Winter World, will be performed on the third night. The fourth side of their LP, Across the Horizon, is scheduled for the fourth and final night of the concert series.
Long Island City natives, SUSS consists of Pat Irwin, Bob Holmes, and Jonathan Gregg. Irwin’s credits include composing for shows like Dexter: New Blood, HBO’s Bored to Death, and Rocko’s Modern Life. Holmes was a member of the band Rubber Rodeo. Gregg is formerly of the alternative country band The Linemen and had his own rock band, Jonathan Gregg and the Lonesome Debonaires. Together, the three create vivid ambient music using classic Americana instrumentation.
Culture Lab is a 501(c)(3) formed to be the arts and culture umbrella for Western Queens. Local, national, and international art, of all genres, can be enjoyed there by audiences. They provide space, resources, and a sense of community for New York artists and audiences. The 12,000-square-foot warehouse also hosts two fine art galleries, an 80-seat theater, and an 18,000-square-foot outdoor venue. Equity, diversity, and inclusion across all our platforms are among the core values at the Culture Lab.
Download Suss and purchase the concert series tickets here.
“Echo Lake” from the Promise Live concert film recorded at Culture Lab LIC.
For the first time since 2018, moe. returned to the Palace Theatre stage in Albany for a pair of shows with new band member Nate Wilson on keys. The shows were marked by a proclamation earlier that day from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to rename part of North Pearl Street as moe.street.
photo by Jarron Childsphoto by Jarron Childsphoto by Jarron Childs
While moe. did play a live-streamed show from the Palace Theatre lobby in 2020, the return to the stage was marked by welcoming back Chuck Garvey for his sixth and seventh shows back with moe., following recovery from a stroke. This was also the first time moe. fans in Albany would be seeing a sextet, as Nate Wilson has officially joined the band on keys, finding a natural fit next to guitarist Al Schnier, as the tones of these two would add layers to classic and fresh moe. tunes alike.
Friday night was marked by a proclamation amending moe.day (February 24) to be moe.weekend, read from the stage by City of Albany Treasurer, Darius Shanifar (filling in for Mayor Sheehan). With that, Shanifar introduced six guys named moe., as the band made their way onto the stage and began the run with an extended “Billy Goat,” which segued into “Bearsong” after much hinting from percussionist Jim Loughlin via his vibraphone. The underrated “Crushing” surged forth next and made way for “Blue Jeans Pizza,” a great song made even greater with the inclusion of Wilson on keys. Following “ATL” and “Don’t Wanna Be”, Suke Cerulo, who filled in on guitar during Garvey’s absense, joined for “McBain”, a song Cerulo has become quite familiar with, leading to a psychedelic jam among the seven musicians on stage.
Set 2 opened with the rarely played Tin Cans and Car Tires tune “Again and Again,” only having been played twice previously in the last decade. Another bust out followed in “Faker”, not played since 12/30/2018. “The Road” held its own with Wilson adding additional layers, while “Water” marked the first time it was played since Chuck returned last month in Huntington. To close out the set, back to back 16-minute versions of “Downward Facing Dog” and “The Pit” were the icing on the cake, with “The Pit” accented by Wilson’s use of flute and the band coming out strong as ever for a fan favorite show stopper.
An encore of “Letter Home” and “Captain America” bid the crowd a good night, as the kids kept dancing long after the show. Options afterward were plentiful, with fans opting for Cerulo at Empire Underground, Hilltop at Parish Public House, or for the adventurous, a Shrek Rave at Empire Live.
Saturday proved to be just as hot inside despite wintery weather outside. Karina Rykman wowed the audience as the opener, showing off her power-trio’s sound and rock-star vibe that is as infectious as her inspired playing. Rykman would come up later in the evening for the guest-friendly “Meat” that saw her trade bass licks with Rob Derhak over the course of an 11 minute jam session.
moe. would open their set with a slow-building “Lazarus,” followed by “Seat of My Pants.” Nate Wilson continued to make his presence known in the extended “Sensory Deprevation Bank” followed by the newer “Jazz Cigarette.” Conehead Buddha’s Shannon Lynch joined the band for “Happy Hour Hero,” taking centerstage for a solo, reuniting musicians who have been playing together in the Albany scene for more than 30 years.
A four song, hour-long second set was as tight on paper as the band is in person – from the first notes of “Waiting for the Punchline,” through the always enjoyable “Kyle’s Song,” the dark grooves of “Puebla” and ol’ reliable “Rebubula.” To wrap things up, “Plane Crash” took the encore slot, before fans rolled out onto moe.street following two memorable and sentimental moe shows at the Palace Theatre.
moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Friday February 24
Set 1: Billy Goat -> Bearsong, Crushing, Blue Jeans Pizza, ATL, Don’t Wanna Be -> McBain* Set 2: Again and Again^, Faker -> The Road, Water#, Downward Facing Dog -> The Pit Encore: Letter Home, Captain America * with Suke Cerulo of Schleigho on guitar ^ LTP 12/30/2018 # Not played since before Chuck’s break
moe. – Palace Theatre, Albany – Saturday, February 25
Set 1: Lazarus, Seat Of My Pants > Sensory Deprivation Bank, Jazz Cigarette, Happy Hour Hero*, Meat^ Set 2: Waiting for the Punchline, Kyle’s Song -> Puebla -> Rebubula Encore: Plane Crash * with Shannon Lynch of Conehead Buddha on saxophone ^ with Karina Rykman joining on bass. Karina and Rob traded licks during the jam.
On Saturday, February 25, Jack White returned to the stage of Studio 8H for the fifth time as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, alongside host and new fellow five-timer, Woody Harrelson.
Jack White joins only 10 other musicians who have performed on Saturday Night Live 5 or more times, including Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Arcade Fire, Randy Newman, Beck, Maroon 5, Kanye West, Eminem, Rihanna and Coldplay.
White and his band – Dominic Davis (bass), Daru Jones (drums), and Quincy McCrary (keyboards) – performed a towering medly of “Taking me Back” and “Fear of Dawn,” two tracks that notably are the opening tracks from his 2022 solo album, Fear of the Dawn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJUDoB0errI
Later in the show, Jack White performed “A Tip From You to Me” from his other 2022 solo album, Entering Heaven Alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHp_h7RLfAU
The last time Jack White performed on Saturday Night Live, he filled in for Morgan Wallen, and gave a subtle nod to Eddie Van Halen during “Lazaretto.” White used a model of guitar similar to Van Halen’s, and played a finger tapping solo mid-song, a signature move of Van Halen’s. Watch below.
Saturday Night Live returns on March 4th with host Travis Kelce and musical guest Kelsea Ballerini.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced the return of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) back to the Spa Little Theatre for its summer residency from June 11-August 20.
Marking the 10th anniversary of its collaboration with SPAC, the six-concert summer season follows two previously announced performances on March 18 and May 13 by CMS, now a year-round presence in Saratoga Springs.
“Our 2023 season carries a celebratory theme across all of our residencies, but none more so than with the 10th anniversary of our partnership with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Over the past decade, SPAC and CMS have cultivated a dedicated audience of chamber music devotees in Saratoga Springs and we are excited to the continue the tradition not just every summer, but year-round as well.”
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s summer season opens with “From Classic to Modern,” showcasing works from Brahms and Beethoven to Bloch, Khachaturian and Milhaud (June 11), followed by “Great Quintets” of Mozart, Dohnányi and Dvořák (June 18); “From Vienna to Paris” (July 16); a program from guest artists The Miró String Quartet (July 23); and “Spanish Journey” (August 13). The season closes with “New Classics” (August 20), which includes quintets by Bloch and Suk that CMS has ushered into the standard chamber repertoire.
Anchored by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors Wu Han (piano) and David Finckel (cello), this season’s guest artists also include violinists Arnaud Sussmann, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, Stella Chen, Danbi Um, Kristin Lee, and Aaron Boyd; violists Paul Neubauer, James Thompson, Molly Carr, and Matthew Lipman; cellist Sihao He, pianists Wu Qian, Juho Pohjonen, Soyeon Kate Lee; clarinetist Ricardo Morales, guitarist Jason Vieaux, soprano Rihab Chaieb, and The Miró Quartet.
The summer season follows two previously announced spring concerts offered by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. On March 18, soprano Jessica Rivera joins pianists Michael Stephen Brown and Gilles Vonsattell, cellist Nicholas Canellakis and percussionist Ian David Rosenbaum to present “Voices of the Americas,” a program celebrating the range of ideas, sounds, and cultures that have inspired composers from the Americas in the 20th Century like Copland, Gershwin, Golijov, and Villa-Lobos. On May 13, pianist Wu Han, violinist Arnaud Sussmann, and cellist David Finckel unite to perform works by Beethoven and Dvořák.
For a full schedule of performances, and to purchase tickets, visit SPAC’s website for more information.
Storied NYC rock band, Hooray For Earth will play a Bandcamp Daily livestream performance, ‘Live From Death By Audio’ broadcasted from the Death By Audio in Queens, NY on Sunday, February 26.
Beyond the actual livestream on the 26th, the performance will be available to view for an additional 48 hours.
Established in 2003 by Noel Heroux as a placeholder name for Noel’s solo recordings, “Hooray For Earth”left the disc and found band members in Jessica Zambri, Cristi Jo Zambri, Seth Kasper, Joseph Ciampini, Gary Benacquista, and Noel’s dear childhood friend Christopher Principe.
Various live configurations toured frequently in the U.S. and internationally, engaged in radio appearances and studio collaborations while releasing Cellphone EP (2008), MOMO EP (2010), TrueLoves (2011), Never/Figure (2012), and Racy (2014)before ceasing activity via amical band breakup in Fall of 2014. After eight years away, Hooray For Earth materialized to support Modest Mouse on tour in summer and winter of 2022. Noel has spent much of the last few years in the studio.
Earlier this year, Hooray For Earth shared a reissue of their 2011 LP True (featuring tracks “True Loves,” “No Love,” “Realize It’s Not the Sun”), out now via Bandcamp, alongside previously unreleased track from the original recording sessions entitled “La Que” The True Loves reissue is out now via Bandcamp.
The infamous singer of “Peace Train,” “Father & Son,” and “Wild World,” Yusuf / Cat Stevens has shared an endearing cover of “Here Comes The Sun” in tribute to George Harrison. With a gorgeous cover art designed by Yusuf’s eight-year-old granddaughter, the release marks the anniversary of what would have been George Harrison’s 80th birthday this week.
Speaking about George Harrison’s profound influence on his own musical and spiritual journey, Yusuf says, “George Harrison was beginning to explore Eastern mysticism around the time I was hospitalized with TB, in 1968. Lying in bed, I had a lot of time on my hands and ended up reading a Buddhist book called The Secret Path. That was the beginning of my own search for the light.
While most of my generation were just into the music, I was a bit like George, where music became the key to something much higher. Following the rages of the 60’s, his consciousness was awakened, and George transcended to levels not many people ever get to experience. You can hear it in his lyrics, and see it in the way he lived and dealt with the material world – looking for a way out. George was one of the first to put on a charity concert for the poor, at the time millions of Bangladeshis were fleeing from conflict and becoming refugees. It was a brave thing to do, and against all establishment rules. I’m happy to sing one of his songs, especially as it represents the returning of light and hope to a seriously dark and broken world.”
Cat Stevens is one of the most influential musical artists of all time. His signature, era-defining sound places him amongst a golden generation of British singer-songwriters whose music continues to resonate and inspire to this day. Yusuf’s line of hits include “Peace Train,” “Father & Son,” “Where Do The Children Play?,” “Wild World” and many more.
Yusuf’s music reflects a quest for spiritual enlightenment, inner development and a passion for the natural world that continues to resonate with fans globally. Alongside his music career, Yusuf / Cat Stevens dedicates his energy to philanthropy and education. “Here Comes The Sun” is the latest in a new lineage of cover versions and closely follows Tea For The Tillerman, which saw the classic album re-imagined for a new age.
Looking forward on new music, Yusuf / Cat Stevens continues to use his unique gift for songwriting to build cross-cultural bridges and spread his message of peace. Currently, he lives in Dubai, where he continues to record music and coordinate a charitable initiative called Peace Train.
To listen to “Here Comes The Sun,” click the link here.
Guitarist Zach Nugent will bring his Dead Set on a ‘Spring Thaw’ tour with all six stops taking place in New York, from April 19th to April 29th. The tour will kick off at Garcia’s in Port Chester on April 19th and will conclude with a show at Cohoes Music Hall on April 29th, with stops in Syracuse, Rochester, Ithaca and Woodstock in between.
Zach Nugent, lead guitarist of the nationally acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute act will be joined by a talented ensemble of musicians to bring the magic of the Grateful Dead to audiences across New York. The band’s blend of faithful renditions of Grateful Dead classics, soulful improvisations, and authentic jams are guaranteed to captivate fans old and new.
The ‘Spring Thaw’ looks to be a highlight of the year for NY fans of the Grateful Dead and live music enthusiasts alike. Zach Nugent’s Dead Set has been praised for their electrifying live shows and their ability to transport audiences to the height of the Dead’s legendary performances.
If you’re a fan of the Grateful Dead, or just love live music played to the highest caliber, you won’t want to miss Zach Nugent’s Dead Set. Seeing Nugent in concert is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that leaves fans feeling energized, inspired, and uplifted. From the moment he takes the stage, Nugent’s virtuosic guitar playing and deep connection to the music of the Grateful Dead captivates the audience and transports them to another realm.
During the concert, fans are fully immersed in the music, swept away by Nugent’s expert improvisations, soaring solos, and dynamic interplay with his bandmates. Whether he’s performing classic Dead tunes or original compositions, Nugent’s passion and mastery of the guitar shine through, creating a sense of communal joy and celebration among the crowd.
Tickets for all six shows are available now and can be purchased through the band’s website or at the venues.
Zach Nugent’s Dead Set Tour Dates
April 19th – Garcia’s, Port Chester, NY – Tickets:
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 A Little Overboard, Leyeux, and Luminous Crush.
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.
Leyeux, or Jack Snyder, was born and raised in central Vermont. He began drumming at the age of 8, and performed as a singer and guitarist in high school, playing drums in the school jazz band and other professional gigs. From 2013-2015 he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and joined the a capella group Pitch Slapped, which competed and won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in the Spring of 2014. Since then he has released three records, and his song “Tightrope” from the album Day Is Calling will be played on EQXposure.
A Little Overboard is a five-piece American rock band raised in Saratoga, formed by childhood friends that reconnected later on. Some of the group’s influences are Staind, Aerosmith, Guns n Roses, Alice in Chains, Led Zeppelin, and bands of that realm. They are community-oriented, churning out music in the studio at a rapid rate for their fans. Their newest single “Second Row” is out now.
Luminous Crush is made up of Laura Molinelli and Ben Campbell, who make a wide variety of music spanning multiple genres like bluegrass, country, indie, and psychedelic.
Fresh off his second full-length LP, Staten-Island raised and LA-based MVW returns with another mashup of cultures, sounds and styles. This time, the classical composer turned hip hop producer, has recruited the likes of Tia Corine and Lil Cherry for a syrupy ode to female empowerment and pleasure.
“Tru Tru” sees MVW remain on his experimental journey. Since breaking through in hip hop, the former La Monte Young understudy has used his signature blend of minimal classical compositions with trap-heavy hip-hop influences. Hence, on “Tru True” MVW uses piano arpeggios, flutes and trap synths to create a sultry, inviting and abstract record.
Things have been tightened over the last few years across the world, and with one another – I feel like friendships are truly being tested. A song like ‘Tru Tru’ is about giving people this psychedelic, anime trap dream world to escape into. That escapism feels especially important right now, and can help bring us together.
– MVW
Keeping in theme, MVW recruits the likes of Lil Cherry and TiaCorine to complete the record’s sensual vibe. “Tru Tru” is a global trap track that combines the best elements of MVW’s favorite genres. Blending the ominous feel of classical music, the bluntness of trap drums and the way TiaCorine and Lil Cherry’s soft croons and low hues compliment it all.
Bitch I’m colder than the snow on the Polar Express” hilariously boasts Tia. With her rousing, raspy whisper-rap flow adding to her aura. Meanwhile, Cherry infectiously swats away male groupies with a self-assured, “I’m the man, bitch, duhhhh!”
Ultimately, MVW swerves the listener. In short, the record’s sensual production offers the thought of more somber lyrics. However, TiaCorine — whom Rolling Stone pinned as a rapper set to make it big in 2023 — and K-Hip Hop sensation Lil Cherry exert their control.
With moe. preparing for their two-night run at Albany’s Palace Theatre, starting tonight, February 24, which is the city’s fifth annual “moe.day,” the City of Albany has announced that it is temporarily renaming N. Pearl, the street on which the Palace Theatre stands, to moe.street, effective immediately.
The announcement honors deep ties between moe. and the City of Albany, which began with the band’s early days living together on Central Avenue in the ‘90s. Their first performance at the Palace Theatre took place on February 23rd, 1996, as part of a “Rock The Vote” concert, and this Saturday will mark the band’s 17th appearance at the venue, in addition to a short video concert they filmed in the Palace Theatre Lobby in the fall of 2020.
We are overwhelmed with the love the City Of Albany has given our band over the years. From declaring Feb 24th as ‘moe.day’ to this, the dedication of ‘moe.street in front of The Palace Theatre, we are humbled and deeply honored.
moe. guitarist Al Schnier
Albany’s annual moe.day was established in February 2018, to celebrate the band’s first appearance in the city following bassist Rob Derhak’s treatment for oropharyngeal cancer. Today, less than two months after the return of guitarist Chuck Garvey to the road full-time following his stroke in 2021, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan declared moe.day “alive and well.”
Following moe.’s apperances in Albany this weekend, the next leg of the band’s tour will center around the southeast, with a number of dates in Florida, followed by a 2-night run at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on March 23-24. The tour will then conclude with a string of April/May dates, culminating in Kansas City on Wednesday, May 3rd, a 3-night run at Brooklyn Bowl, and the Summer Camp Music Festival from May 25-28th. It was also recently announced that keyboardist Nate Wilson, who first sat in with the band during Garvey’s recovery last year, is now an official member of the band and will perform at all of moe.’s performances, going forward.
