Category: Regions

  • San Holo’s Cosmic Concert at Brooklyn Steel: A Sonic and Visual Wonderland

    As the doors of Brooklyn Steel swung open on a crisp, autumn evening, fans of San Holo streamed into the venue, eager to immerse themselves in an evening of music and visuals that would take them on an existential journey. San Holo, the Dutch DJ and producer known for his distinctive blend of emotional, existential music, was about to captivate the audience with an electrifying performance.

    Images captured by @adrian_hernandezz on instagram

    The concert began with a sense of anticipation, which only intensified as the venue plunged into darkness. The crowd’s murmurs turned into roars of excitement as the moment we had all been waiting for arrived. A massive curtain, suspended above the stage, dropped dramatically to the ground. It was a jaw-dropping moment that marked the beginning of this sonic and visual odyssey.

    Colorful lasers pierced through the blackness. These lasers danced and swirled above the crowd, setting the stage for an otherworldly experience. The visuals were nothing short of breathtaking, and they would play a pivotal role throughout the night.

    As the audience was spellbound by the mesmerizing light show, San Holo opened with the classic track “Lift me from the Ground,” immediately sending waves of nostalgia through the crowd. The existential soundscapes that define San Holo’s music began to envelop the room, and the audience was entranced. The ethereal, guitar-driven melodies intertwined with his signature glitchy beats, creating an emotional resonance that was tangible.

    San Holo’s connection with the audience was palpable as he swayed to the music, pouring his heart into every chord and beat. His energy was infectious, and it didn’t take long for the crowd to become a unified, pulsating mass of fans, all lost in the music and the moment.

    But this was not merely a trip down memory lane. San Holo was on a mission to showcase his latest album, “EXISTENTIAL DANCE MUSIC,” and the audience was more than ready. Tracks like “DON’T LOOK DOWN” and “ENERGY” pushed the boundaries of his signature sound. The bass was deeper, the drops more intense, and the audience responded with an electrifying surge of energy.

    The visuals accompanying these tracks were a sight to behold. Colors and shapes exploded on the screens, perfectly synced with the music, creating an immersive experience that left the crowd in awe. The existential themes of the album were brought to life through the interplay of light and sound, making us question the very essence of our existence in this dance music universe.

    As the night drew to a close, San Holo returned to some classic tracks, including “Light” which had the crowd swaying and singing along with heartfelt emotion. It was the perfect ending to a night filled with introspection, energy, and incredible music.

    San Holo’s concert at Brooklyn Steel was more than a show; it was an existential experience. The fusion of his timeless tracks and the visually stunning performance left an indelible mark on everyone in attendance. As the crowd spilled out into the Brooklyn night, the shared experience of San Holo’s music and visuals created a sense of connection, reminding us all that, in the midst of life’s complexities, there’s always room to dance and lose ourselves in the beauty of existence.

  • Studio Projects to be Presented at the Art of Jazz Series Season in Buffalo

    Get ready for an exciting jazz season as the highly anticipated Art of Jazz series returns to the newly transformed Buffalo AKG Art Museum for the 2023–2024 season. This season promises to be a remarkable journey, featuring a phenomenal lineup of emerging talents and legendary jazz icons.

    What sets this season apart is the unique concept of bringing studio mastery to the live stage. For over two decades, the Art of Jazz series has been a beacon of excellence in North America, and now, it makes its triumphant return to Buffalo AKG.

    The Art of Jazz series showcases captivating musical projects presented by Grammy® Award winners, nominees, and some of the most skilled artists, composers, and arrangers in jazz. The goal? To capture the essence of studio perfection and bring it to the live stage. In the upcoming season, the series will spotlight four remarkable “art of the project” concepts, promising unforgettable and distinctive experiences for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

    Let’s take a closer look at these four exceptional projects:

    Gary Smulyan, “Tadd’s All, Folks” featuring Anaïs Reno (November 10, 2023)

    The season kicks off with a fresh and captivating approach to the timeless music of legendary jazz composer Tadd Dameron. The extraordinary quintet, featuring Gary Smulyan, explores Dameron’s compositions through mesmerizing vocal performances. Anaïs Reno takes the spotlight, delivering each song’s emotional depth and nuance. The project offers a unique perspective on Dameron’s modern musical language, showcasing his compositions’ enduring power.

    Diego Rivera Quintet, “Bridges” (February 4, 2024)

    Embark on a musical journey celebrating multicultural influences and the blending of Mexican roots with the jazz world. Led by internationally acclaimed saxophonist Diego Rivera, the quintet transcends borders and genres, creating a harmonious fusion of Latin America’s traditional rhythms and jazz improvisation. The performance promises to transport you to a world where cultural boundaries dissolve, and the universal language of music reigns supreme.

    Dan Wilson, “Things Eternal” (March 10, 2024)

    Guitarist/composer Dan Wilson takes the stage with his awe-inspiring project, “Things Eternal.” The project pays tribute to the unwavering spirit of humanity through heartfelt dedications and masterful reinterpretations of iconic songs. Wilson’s profound understanding of Brazilian music shines through as he seamlessly blends Brazilian composers’ influence with his creative genius. The concert promises an unforgettable experience filled with soul-stirring melodies and impeccable musicianship.

    Rodney Whitaker—”Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill” (April 12, 2024)

    Prepare to be captivated by multiple Grammy® Award-nominated bassist, Rodney Whitaker and his quintet, as they present the music of jazz composer Gregg Hill. This ensemble, featuring Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Bruce Barth, Dana Hall, and Rockelle Fortin, grooves to infectious melodies that pay homage to the beloved hard bop era. The project showcases the ensemble’s award-winning artistry at the highest level in jazz.

    The 2023-2024 Art of Jazz Series promises an exceptional season filled with distinctive projects that celebrate the art of jazz. From the timeless compositions of Tadd Dameron to the multicultural fusion of Diego Rivera, from the heartfelt dedications of Dan Wilson to the infectious grooves of Rodney Whitaker, each concert offers a unique musical experience. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this remarkable journey, and support the return of the Art of Jazz series to the Buffalo AKG. It’s a season that promises to captivate, inspire, and celebrate the beauty of jazz.

    Get your season subscription and tickets here to secure your spot at these extraordinary concerts. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about the power of music to bridge cultures, this season has something special in store for you.

  • An Interview with The Bacon Brothers, Set To Play Albany and Westbury This Month

    The Bacon Brothers are set to play two upcoming shows in New York, as they continue their fall tour lineup across the country. Brothers Kevin and Michael Bacon banded together in 1995 to form The Bacon Brothers, an official name to the musical pairing that has been around since their childhood.

    Having released 11 collections of music since then, the duo is looking ahead to two shows in New York State: November 17 at Albany’s The Egg, and November 18 at Westbury’s The Space. 

    The Bacon Brothers
Photo Credit: Jeff Fasano
    Photo Credit: Jeff Fasano

    The Bacon Brothers titled their first album, Forosoco, after their self-described genre, blending folk, rock, soul, and country influences. Most recently, they released “Philly Thing,” a single dedicated to their hometown of Philadelphia. The song benefitted charities Rock to the Future and Kevin Bacon’s own SixDegrees.org.

    NYS Music had the chance to interview The Bacon Brothers ahead of their upcoming NYS shows, talking all things music, family, and upcoming projects. 

    Cara Denton: You’ve coined your own genre – forosoco. As you began your music careers, did you ever feel limited by genre categories, or was it a natural part of your philosophies to work outside those categories?  

    Michael Bacon: Forosoco is a non-category. Genre distinctions have been a part of popular culture since the radio was invented. It helps the music business focus on narrow marketing strategies that streamline their business model. The key to success in any endeavor is to find out what is different about yourself and get really good at that.

    Kevin Bacon: We just go where the song takes us. Sometimes they feel more folky, rocky, soulful, or country. We’ve always said to ourselves let’s not try to stick to a “sound” let’s have our lack of a sound be our sound.

    CD: What artists, instruments, or genres of music have shaped your musical education throughout your lives? 

    MB: I’ve always had two parallel worlds in art music (cello, oboe) and folk music (banjo, guitar ukulele, etc…). As a composer and songwriter, every day I draw from the unique musical ambiance provided by our parents in the house in which the 6 of us grew up.

    KB: Wow so many. Starting with Michael and our sister playing guitars and harmonizing. Motown. British Invasion. TSOP. James and Joni. And on and on. I love drums. I had a drum kit in our basement. And congas. Bongos. Etc.

    CD: What does playing a show in New York City look like for you? Any pre-show rituals, sightseeing, or food spots you like to hit?

    MB: It’s our hometown and beats flying or driving to distant venues. It’s a ten-minute subway ride to City Winery.

    KB: Sightseeing?! I’ve lived in NYC since 1976 so pretty much seen the sights. My favorite slice is Joe’s on Carmine if that helps. 

    CD: Family is a binding force and an important factor in your musicianship – how does that shape your performances, songwriting, or experience as musicians?  

    MB: Ours is a family business. Families draw apart when they lack connection. I’m really proud, and I take some credit for my brother’s success in the music business.

    KB: Family is everything.

    CD: Do you have any practices or hobbies outside of music that you turn to to find inspiration or rejuvenate your creativity? 

    MB: I enjoy sailboat racing, motorboats and crossword puzzles.

    KB: Animals and nature. Being on a horse, riding through the hills. 

    CD: What’s next for the Bacon Brothers? Any new styles, collaborations, or new developments you’re particularly excited about trying? 

    MB: I’m hoping one of the new songs catches a wave and a lot of people love it.

    KB: Very excited about the new record. Never thought we would make this much music! 

    An ever-musical family, The Bacon Brothers continue to yield tour dates and new music to come. Their recent EP, Erato, released in July of 2022, with five brand new songs. The title track features a belting chorus, resonant guitar strumming, and catchy lyrics. The duo is touring across the country now, with tickets for their shows in Albany and Westbury now available. 

    BACON BROTHERS UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    Nov 11 – Larchwood, IA – Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort

    Nov 17 – Albany, NY – Hart Theater at The Egg

    Nov 18 – Westbury, NY – The Space at Westbury

    Nov 19 – Hummelstown, PA – The Englewood

    Jan 18 – Abilene, TX – Paramount Theatre

    Jan 19 – New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall

    Jan 20 – Cedar Park, TX – Haute Spot

  • Introducing The Extreme Music Awards, Coming To Albany in January 2024

    The Extreme Music Awards has announced their inaugural event to be held in Albany on January 13, 2024. Created by Mike Valente of Upstate Black N Blue Productions, the Extreme Music Awards are set to bring recognition to the Capital Region’s most extreme artists.

    Extreme Music Awards

    The awards ceremony will feature a house band, performing a full concert experience for attendees at Albany’s Empire Live. In addition, prizes will be raffled off including signed drum heads, guitars, gift certificates, and more.

    Mike Valente, also a member of hardcore band Brick by Brick, created the Extreme Music Awards alongside a team consisting of RadioRadioX, Capital Underground, That Fuzzing Rock Show and 518Scene.com. The media groups joined together to celebrate and recognize extreme music throughout New York State and the Capital Region.

    Tickets are available now and more updates will be available at extrememusicawards.com, including announcements about presenters and judges at the ceremony.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ TOP Add Shows in Syracuse, Bethel, Wantagh, and Darien Center

    The titans of American classic rock ZZ TOP and Lynyrd Skynyrd have announced 36 additional appearances of their joint co-headlining tour – The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. The tour is set to stop four times in New York, including Syracuse, Bethel, Wantagh, and Darien Center.

    ZZ TOP, known for their beards, hotrod cars, spinning guitars, and that magic keychain, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for their critically acclaimed album Pronounced Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, have put their musical talents together for an unforgettable show performing across the United States, now with even more dates, so you have no excuse to miss it.

    It was in 1969 Houston when ZZ TOP coalesced from the core of two rival bands, Billy Gibbons’ Moving Sidewalks and Frank Beard and Dusty Hill’s American Blues. ZZ Top‘s 1973 album release, Tres Hombres, catapulted them to national attention with the hit “La Grange,” which is still one of the band’s signature pieces today. Eliminator, their 1983 album was something of a paradigm shift for ZZ TOP.

    Their blues roots skew was intact but their high-tech-age trappings were added to the mix that soon found a visual outlet with such tracks as “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” on the nascent MTV. It was one of the record industry’s first albums to have been certified Diamond, far beyond Gold and Platinum, a reflection of sales exceeding ten million units.

    As a touring outfit, they have performed before millions of fans over four continents and have been the subject of their own Grammy-nominated documentary titled That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. The band’s line-up of the bearded Gibbons and Hill and Beard, who ironically is clean-shaven, remained intact for more than 50 years. When Dusty temporarily departed the tour in the summer of 2021, Elwood Francis entered the picture accepting the directive from Dusty to be the perfect choice to stand in on the bass guitar and now handles the low-end duties for the band for the present as well as into the future.

    The elements that keep ZZ TOP fresh can be summed up in the three words of the band’s internal mantra: “Tone, Taste, and Tenacity.” As genuine roots performers, they have few peers. Their influences are both the originators of the form – Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, et al – as well as the British blues rocker Jimi Hendrix who emerged generations before ZZ’s ascendance.

    They have sold hundreds of millions of records over the course of their career, have been officially designated as Heroes of The State of Texas, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (by Keith Richards, no less), and have been referenced in countless cartoons and sitcoms. They are true rock icons and, against all odds, they’re really just doing what they’ve always done.

    As Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrates the 50 anniversary of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd’, they resonate as deeply with their multi-generational fan base today as when they first emerged out of Jacksonville, Florida in 1973.

    Few ensembles have had a deep impact in creating a lifestyle as Skynyrd has. The band travels forward with a primary mission of celebrating a legacy that honors all who have had a resonating contribution to the lives of hundreds of millions of fans globally. Former members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Ed King, Billy Powell, Bob Burns, and Leon Wilkeson alongside others will forever remain significant contributors to this indelible repertoire and the band’s colorful history.

    Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with a current line-up featuring Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Damon Johnson, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle. 

    It’s about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and what it stands for, what the fans are all about. There’s nothing like getting out there playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music. 

    Van Zant

    With a catalog of over 60 albums, billions of streams, and tens of millions of records sold, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.

    The artist pre-sale begins on Tuesday, October 31 at 10 AM, and will be available until 10 PM on Thursday, November 2. The public on-sale begins at 10 AM on Friday, November 3. For tickets, and select VIP packages, visit here.

    LYNYRD SKYNYRD & ZZ TOP: THE SHARP-DRESSED SIMPLE MAN TOUR DATES: 

    3/08     Savannah, GA                                                Enmarket Arena

    3/09     Estero, FL                                                       Hertz Arena

    3/14     Greenville, SC                                                Bon Secours Wellness Arena

    3/15     Knoxville, TN                                              Thompson-Boiling Arena at Food City Ctr.

    3/16     Columbia, SC                                                 Colonial Life Arena

    3/22     Bossier City, LA                                             Brookshire Grocery Arena

    3/23     Southhaven, MS                                             Landers Center

    3/24     Macon, GA                                                     Macon Amphitheater

    3/28     Lexington, KY                                                Rupp Arena

    3/29     Greensboro, NC                                              Greensboro Coliseum

    3/30     Charleston, WV                                              Charleston Coliseum 

    4/04     Biloxi, MS                                                      Mississippi Coast Coliseum

    4/05     Tallahassee, FL                                               Donald L. Tucker Civic Center

    4/06     Huntsville, AL                                                 Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center

    4/12     Evansville, IN                                                 Ford Center

    4/13     Moline, IL                                                       Vibrant Arena 

    4/14     Green Bay, WI                                                Resch Center

    4/18     North Little Rock, AR                                   Simmons Bank Arena

    4/19     Lafayette, LA                                                  Cajundome

    4/20     Corpus Christi, TX                                         American Bank Center

    8/09     Mount Pleasant, MI                                       Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort #

    8/15     Syracuse, NY                                                  Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview

    8/16     Bethel, NY                                                      Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

    8/17     Mansfield, MA                                               Xfinity Center

    8/22     Wantagh, NY                                                  Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    8/23     Gilford, NH                                                    Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    8/24     Hartford, CT                                                   The Xfinity Theatre

    9/05     Alpharetta, GA                                               Ameris Bank Amphitheater

    9/07     Virginia Beach, VA                                        Veterans United Home Loans Amph. at Virginia Beach

    9/08     Bristow, VA                                                   Jiffy Lube Live

    9/12     Darien Center, NY                                         Darien Lake Amphitheater

    9/13     Clarkston, MI                                                 Pine Knob Music Theatre

    9/14     Noblesville, IN                                               Ruoff Music Center

    9/19     Concord, CA                                                   Toyota Pavilion at Concord

    9/21     Auburn, WA                                                   White River Amphitheater

    9/22     Ridgefield, WA                                              RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

    # – No Support – Pre-Sale and On-Sale Dates TBD

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em2Pt8xV0o8&ab_channel=DesigningAmerica
  • Binghamton Philharmonic Delivers Chills and Thrills with “Phantom of the Philharmonic”

    On Saturday, October 28, at the Broome County Forum Theatre, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra kicked off its 2023-2024 Pops Series with “Phantom of the Philharmonic,” a lively performance of Halloween-themed music from stage, screen, and concert hall. Guest conductor Grant Cooper, resplendent in a Dracula cape, led the orchestra in such hair-raising classics as the theme from Halloween, the Psycho Suite, and “Night on Bald Mountain.”

    The Bat Cannon Fires! Phantom of the Philharmonic
    The Bat Cannon Fires! at Phantom of the Philharmonic

    The orchestra reveled in the repertoire, demonstrating their exceptional dynamic range and clearly having fun at the same time. Many in the audience – including lots of kids – were impressively costumed, and showed their appreciation for the expert playing and Maestro Cooper’s engaging dialogue with a standing ovation.

    Phantom of the Philharmonic
    Isis Stungurys, Bailey Dembski, Logan Merril

    The Phiharmonic’s concertmaster Uli Speth took a star turn as the violin soloist in the haunting “Danse macabre” of Camille Saint-Saëns, and concert-goers were treated to a range of special effects, from multi-colored smoke to a cannon that released bat-shaped confetti at the climactic moment in Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

    Amanda and Mark Green

    Future Pops Series performances this season include the holiday concert Winter Wonderland, and Pops at the Forum, featuring the music of John Williams, Led Zeppelin, and more!

    Nuci Pedraza and Peter Ortu

    The Binghamton Philharmonic’s Symphonic Series continues on November 18 with Faces of Joy, featuring Philharmonic favorite Andrew Russo as the piano soloist in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. For more information, visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

    Zaidon Harrington
  • Beacon Bonfire Music and Art Festival Returns To Hudson Valley

    The Beacon Bonfire Music and Art Festival announced its return to the Hudson Valley region this fall, taking place on November 4 and 5 in Beacon. The festival emerged as a community gathering during the pandemic, and evolved into a multi-venue event, showcasing some of the region’s best music, art, and performance.

    The festival will take place in 26 indoor and outdoor venues along Beacon’s Main Street. Beacon will host over 400 artists and musicians across over 20 genres, featuring performances from Matt Dickey Group, Ears With Eyes, Rose Stoller, Stephen Clair, Alex Harris, and more. 

    Beacon Bonfire Music and Arts Festival
Performer squats while juggling torches in front of a crowd
Photo Credit: Austin Ruffer
    Photo Credit: Austin Ruffer @austininyourface

    In addition to music, the Beacon Bonfire Music and Art Festival will host artistic exhibits from the Ethan Cohen Gallery, Ron English, Frank Hyder, Donna Mikkelson, and Emil Alzamora. Film screenings will take place later in the evening, with both short and feature length programming.

    For the kiddie crowd, the festival will offer special kid-friendly programming, including interactive workshops, clay art exhibits, the Steamroller Large Scale Print, and more. Families can enjoy campfires, s’mores, and singalongs on and around Main Street. Children under 12 years old will have free access to the festival.

    Beacon Bonfire Music and Arts Festival
Dancer performs in front of artist painting a mural
Photo Credit: Raymond A Wehrli
    Photo Credit: Raymond A Wehrli @Zapalandrox

    The festival is organized by actors and producers Christian Campbell and America Olivo, Kelly Ellenwood, producer Tim Parsaca, and composer Jeremy Schonfeld. Their aim is to platform regional and local artists in their community, while supporting local art initiatives and performers. All ticket revenue from the festival will go towards the performers.

    Tickets, updates, and more information on the festival are available at BeaconBonfire.com.

  • Polyphia Shreds with Sold Out Show at Terminal 5 NYC

    Acclaimed instrumental progressive rock band, Polyphia, played a sold-out show at Terminal 5 in New York City last week (October 26, 2023) with support from Domi and JD Beck.

    Polyphia at Terminal 5. Photograph by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)

    Jazz duo Domi and JD Beck opened the show, with keyboardist Domi Louna and drummer JD Beck delivering a very impressive and lengthy set. Their songs featured highly technical drum patterns and keys. They joked between songs about the quality of their performance, taking jabs at their own skills, which the audience rewarded with big laughs and applause. They played in a fully packed venue and thanked the crowd for showing up early for the set. They left the stage with big applause and a heightened anticipation of the headlining act.

    Domi and JD Beck opening for Polyphia. Photograph by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)

    After some brief intro music, Terminal 5 erupted in applause as blinding lights flashed, welcoming Polyphia to the stage. Guitarists and founders Tim Henson and Scott LePage are widely considered to be two of the most influential rock guitarists of today, and they are both Ibanez-endorsed artists with several signature guitars of their own. One of their biggest singles, “Playing God,” has garnered over 30 million views on YouTube. The platform was their initial proving ground when one of their earliest singles, “Impassion,” launched them into fame.

    Their set at Terminal 5 included tracks from throughout their four-album catalog. For their encore, they played fan favorites, “Playing God” and “G.O.A.T.” They didn’t speak directly to the crowd at any point in the show, as they didn’t have microphones. But they held their guitars aloft in thanks at the end of the show and walked off with wide smiles on their faces. The crowd cheered them out and left more than satisfied.

    You can listen to their latest album here and you can see their upcoming tour dates here. Check out Domi and JD Beck’s music here.

    Photo gallery by David Reichmann below.

  • Award-Winning DJs/Producers The Halluci Nation Announce Show at The Sanctuary in Troy

    The Halluci Nation (formerly A Tribe Called Red) announced they are performing at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

    The Halluci Nation at The Sanctuary
    Photo credit: Rémi Thériault.

    The Halluci Nation is comprised of Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill, beginning as an act of protest, throwing dance hall parties for Indigenous youth in their hometown of Ottawa to Indigenize the club space after realizing the city’s nightclubs hosted such parties for many different cultures, but none representing the First Nations community. The Halluci Nation takes its name from a phrase coined by John Trudell, to describe the vast global community of people who remember at their core what it means to be human. As a visionary artist and activist, Trudell recognized the connection between his accomplishments and what A Tribe Called Red did intuitively through music and art. 

    Through groundbreaking stage shows and ever-changing visuals, Bear Witness and 2oolman are working to create media that reflects the modern-day Indigenous identity. They are facilitating a necessary conversation around a subtle and complex representation of the contemporary Indigenous experience. The project is built on collaboration, with the duo collaborating with a diverse set of people, including Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def), the Indigenous Australian band, OKA, the Wayuu-Colombian powerhouse, Lido Pimienta, and more.

    The next chapter for The Halluci Nation has them further exploring the boundaries of cross-genre collaborations. “We wanted to take the music to another place,” says 2oolman. “We showed a little bit of our ambitious side on our last record and we got to do a lot of songs that we’d been wanting to do for a long time. And this is just the start. We are at the point where we are making music we love, inspired by our everyday lives and the people that surround us. We’ve got so much more coming.”

    The Halluci Nation at The Sanctuary
    Photo credit: Rémi Thériault.

    This event is part of the Sanctuary Eco-Art Trail project, connecting Indigenous legacy with environmental justice. Located on a block-wide environmental campus in North Central on settler lands, this neighborhood is one of the most under-resourced in New York State, with a long history of disinvestment and environmental contamination. The Eco-Art Trail acknowledges these layered histories as they dream and build towards restored biocultural diversity and robust Indigenous futures.

    For more information about the show, visit here.

  • Marina Laurendi Captures Halloween Spirit in “halloween party”

    Indie singer-songwriter, Marina Laurendi, is back with a second single off her upcoming Sophomore EP. The new track “halloween party,” is an ode to childhood innocence, the comfort and safety of home, and the bittersweet feeling of aging into adulthood, coming just in time for the spooky season.

    Marina Laurendi is a singer/songwriter and musician, originally from the Western New York area. She started performing as an actress, singer, and dancer at a young age. Her career in musical theater led her to NYC, where she performed around the East Coast and Off-Broadway. Her music takes influence from the pulse of the NYC scene and the calmness of her Western NY upbringing.

    Fusing elements of cinematic pop, alternative rock, and singer-songwriter lyricism, her nostalgic and singular sound is a breath of fresh air. She is poetic and moody, with haunting vocals and catchy melodies. Her music is steeped in personal experience yet is universally relatable.

    “halloween party” is textured and dripping in ambiance, balancing soft indie rock with tender intimacy. Featuring undertones of singer-songwriter folk, muted acoustic guitar strums, quiet drums, and melodic lines, she captures the sounds that bring about the warm fuzzy feelings associated with home. The track is authentic and raw, featuring voice memos from Marina Laurendi’s childhood friends. It is honest and builds up beautifully into a bittersweet and nostalgic crescendo.

    I wrote the song when we were getting ready to sell my childhood home and I was deciding what was next for me. That transitional period stirred up so many emotions and it got me reminiscing about my adolescence. Halloween parties at my childhood home are such a core memory for me and I associate them directly with my childhood and teenage years. When I think of them, I feel such a fondness for home and an appreciation of my upbringing that I didn’t truly value it until later in life.

    Marina Laurendi

    “halloween party” by Marina Laurendi is the perfect song to add to your fall playlist. Catch up with her new releases and future shows here.