Category: Regions

  • Recording Studios on Long Island

    There are several recording studios on Long Island where aspiring musicians can make their dream a reality. Outside of New York City, Long Island has the second most amount of recording studios in the state of New York. A variety of significant names in the music industry have recorded at Long Island recording studios, including Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys.

    On Long Island, in Deer Park, artists can achieve all their recording needs at New Royalty Records. Founded in 2010, New Royalty Records offers professional quality studio services to artists locally and beyond. The studio features limitless capabilities, with expansive gear and plugin collections to shape the unique vision of its clientele. New Royalty offers several recording, mixing, mastering, and production services. The control room features a custom-designed audio workstation, complete with an ultra-wide curved display, digital console with motorized faders, Universal Audio Twin-Finity 710 Preamp, 8 Class A Presonus Preamps, LA-3A cloned analog compressor, TK AUDIO Bus Compressor for mastering, and a multiple output professional monitoring station to toggle between the various speakers throughout the studio. The vocal booth is acoustically treated from floor to ceiling (including floated floor construction) for optimal isolation and flawless sound.

    Founder and lead engineer Nick Gardino brings years of experience in the recording industry, along with a passion for helping artists reach their full potential. With a keen ear for detail and extensive knowledge of audio techniques, Gardino ensures every project at New Royalty Records meets the highest standards of quality. When you’re in Gardino’s care, you can be sure you’re about to make quality music with a team of producers baking him, helping each artist achieve their respective goals.

    A producer mixing and mastering at New Royalty Records in Deer Park.

    Dare Studios in Deer Park offers audio recording services, rehearsal studio rentals, equipment rentals, video production services, and live stream services for meetings and events. Owner/audio engineer Mike Epstein graduated from LIU Post in 1986 with a focus on finance and economics, never realizing the role it would play in his musical endeavors. He has been a professional performing musician since 1980 and has played internationally and shared the stage with many famous bands and musicians.

    Epstein also started recording bands in the 80’s Originally working in analog where you had to have true knowledge of how audio gear functions. Through the years Epstein has worked alongside many of the world’s top musicians and engineers. Studio manager/audio engineer Peter Ippolito has spent the last more than 25 years working at Dare. He first began his audio career in the 90s, as a roadie for local bands and eventually began doing sound for them. Ippolito has recorded for over 900 different artists during his time at Dare Studios and also does many live sound events for the studio at major venues such as The Nassau Coliseum, The Aviation Museum, White Post Farms, and The Jones Beach Bandshell, plus countless town and county events with crowds of people in the thousands. He has worked with countless bands in rehearsal at Dare Studios, including Winger and Krokus. On top of all that, Ippolito also is a main force in Dares Live streams and video production services.

    Dare Studios has three recording studios, A, B, and C, a recording room, and a sound stage. All studios plus the sound stage and recording room are equipped with a PA system, Guitar amps and cabinets, a bass amp, and a drum set. Guitar, bass, keyboard, and cymbals are available for rent, all subject to availability.

    The 368-square-foot Studio A at Dare Studios in Deer Park.
    The 360 square-foot Studio B at Dare Studios in Deer Park.
    The 320-square-foot Studio C at Dare Studios in Deer Park.
    The 391 square foot recording room at Dare Studios in Deer Park.
    The 700 square-foot sound stage at Dare Studios in Deer Park.

    Discover Recording Studios from across New York State in Western New York, the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley, Central New York, and New York City.

    Deer Park has been the home of EKO Productions for over 30 years. EKO’s studio provides a centrally located, extremely private site for all of your audio and video needs, containing two large climate-controlled sound stages with enough room for artists, personnel, and crew to work comfortably and efficiently. From audio recording and rehearsals to video production and more, EKO can cover all of your production needs. 

    Westfall Recording Company in Farmingdale has been in the audio production business for over 15 years. The studio has recorded for artists ranging from all genres of music, be it rock, pop, metal, hip-hop, progressive, and more. EKO takes pride in providing affordable budgets for projects of any size. From basic tracking to full production singles, EPs, LPs, composition services, mixing & mastering, music development, music consulting, and voice-overs, EKO’s audio capabilities are endless. EKO provides artists with three studios to choose from, A, B, and C.

    The live room in Studio A at Westfall Recording Company in Farmingdale.

    All three studios are equipped with a live room and control room. The state-of-the-art live room is the perfect environment to capture crystal-clear audio and authentic live performances. The control room serves as both a tracking room and a mixing/mastering facility. With state-of-the-art outboard gear and industry-topping plugin suites, the control room is equipped to provide you with endless sonic options so the boundaries of your art are limitless. The control room is a spacious area to properly accommodate our clients and promote a relaxed work environment.

    The control room in Studio A at Westfall Recording Company in Farmingdale.

    Studio C is a great creative nook to help bring your starting ideas to reality. The Studio is equipped with a case of four preamps, Eqs, and compressing for vocals. Studio C is also the one room in the building that has a vocal booth, and it’s a great size booth built to have complete isolation to help capture the best vocals or voice-over work.

    The equipment at Next Phase Sound Studios in East Farmingdale.

    The Mix Palace in West Hempstead, formerly called The Music Palace, has been in business for over 40 years, first opening in 1977. The studio is owned by chief mixing and mastering engineer MicAngelo, who has over 50 Gold and Platinum records to his name, including Public Enemy’s biggest seller apocalypse 91, Redman, Turnback, Mariah Carey, Seal, etc. With over 30 years of experience, he still remains extremely passionate about his craft. 

    The Mix Palace has two recording studios, A and B, for artists to use for their recording needs. Studio A is equipped with the industry’s most coveted and replicated vintage gear with a vintage Solid State Logic E-channel Mixing Console at the forefront of every mix your music will only sound better from the moment you track and rise in quality all the way to the mastering process. Studio B is the latest addition at the mix palace, equipped with the vintage SSL and NEVE Mic pres this room takes a modern approach to making music by incorporating in-the-box mixing alongside awesome vintage outboard gear.

    The Mix Palace is the perfect place for artists’ recording, mixing, mastering, and production needs. Live Room A is designed by the famous Tom Hidley, and with its unparalleled walls and controlled acoustics, you’re guaranteed optimal quality in capturing everything from live instruments to just a singular voice. All of their mixes are called “hybrid mixes” combining in-the-box processing with analog gear to get high-end sound quality. One of the things that make Mix Palace’s mastering process unique is they pass your 2-track file through their highly modified SSL console, analog outboard gear, and tape machines to bring more warmth, tone, and depth to their clients’ sound, which also removes a lot of the harshness associated with ITB mixes. Whether it’s songwriting, production, beat making, arranging, editing, mixing, or mastering, Mix Palace’s music producers can take your idea, song, demo, and or album to the next level.

    Studio A at the Mix Palace in West Hempstead.
    Studio B at the Mix Palace in West Hempstead.

    Mantra Recording Studio has two locations in New York State, one in Long Island and one in New York City. Studio A is located in Island Park, a village in the Town of Hempstead, near the ocean on the South Shore. Studio B is near Hell’s Kitchen, in the Heart of New York City in Midtown. Mantra Recording Studio works with state-of-the-art technology including Dante, AVB/Thunderbolt 2-3 which is a Mac/Pc friendly environment. The studios offer mixing and vocal tracking, small mixing projects, and instruments like electronic Drums, percussion, and solo instruments are available for artists’ use.

    The 1927 Steinway B piano in Studio A at Mantra Recording Studio.

    At Trap Studios in South Huntington, recording artists have the chance to work with professionals for their various needs through engineer and producer sessions, artist sessions, podcast sessions, and mixing and mastering. In podcast sessions, artists can record audio and/or video, phone calls, video reactions, and game capturing, with up to four microphones and two camera angles.

    Credit: Trap Studios

    Young Street Studios in Holbrook has a variety of equipment available for recording artists to use to meet their unique needs. Tube mics, guitar amps and pedals, instruments, and more are available for use by artists at Young Street Studios. For tube mics, artists can use the Rode NTK studio microphone, and for instruments, the Fender Rhodes Piano, Kimball Baby Grand Piano, and much more are available. For guitar amps, artists can choose from the Fender Super Reverb Combo, Marshall JCM 800 Lead Series Combo, and more. For guitar pedals, artists can choose from the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Black Russian), Electro-Harmonix Micro POG, and others.

    A guitar set at Young Street Studios in Holbrook.
    Otari MKII 24 Track 2″ Tape Machine.

    Musiq Touch Recording Studio in West Hills, a hamlet in the Town of Huntington, is a one-of-a-kind destination for audio production. The studio specializes in technologically advanced hybrid mixing techniques to process audio. The staff at Musiq Touch will oversee all aspects of audio production and will work tirelessly to translate your vision from an idea, into its final product. Their services include music production, mixing, and mastering, as well as live sound recording. Owner/CEO Charles Stewart has tremendous experience producing music for Pop, Rap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Indie Rock, Gospel, and EDM. The advent of digital technology allows engineers the liberty to approach music production in a revolutionary fashion. From drums to keyboards, guitars, and vocals, Musiq Touch prides itself on being on the cutting edge of audio technology. The studio offers a hybrid approach to music production that is truly unique in its ability to offer you the artist unlimited possibilities.Musiq Touch combines decades of industry experience with the latest in cutting-edge audio technology to offer clients unmatched quality mixing services. A mastering session at Musiq Touch typically consists of subtle audio processes including stereo enhancement, compression, equalization, and limiting. Music Touch additionally offers live recording, with state-of-the-art recording technology enabling seamless Live Recording capabilities for artists and bands.Musiq Touch offers premium songwriting services, whether it be to create a song from scratch, or to improve an existing concept. The studio also offers a slew of production services such as seeking the perfect beat for your next single, producing a podcast and seeking the perfect theme music to hook your listeners, and more. Further, Musiq Touch offers acoustic services. The staff at Musiq Touch boasts years of studying the science behind acoustics and is ready to help bring your studio to the next, professional-grade level. Lastly, Musiq Touch offers a vast array of post-production services and is the perfect destination for ADR and foley for your film, TV, or web series.

    The mixing room at Musiq Touch Studio.

    The Sound Cellar in Huntington offers rehearsal, recording, and music lesson services for musicians. The Sound Cellar has three hourly rooms for rehearsal: the Jam Room, Stage Room, and Studio. The 22′ x 16.5′ Jam Room is equipped with a 600-watt PA system, premier drums (+ hi-hat, ride & crash), a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 60w tube combo, an upright piano, and more. The 36′ x 25′ Stage Room comes with a 1200-watt PA system, pearl drums, and more. The Studio has a 600-watt PA system, Vintage Ludwig drums (+ hi-hat, ride, crash), a Vintage Ampeg Reverbrocket 2-tube combo, a Vintage Fender Twin Reverb tube combo, and more.

    The Jam Room at the Sound Cellar in Huntington.

    For over 40 years, Cove City Sound Studio in Glen Cove has produced music for artists such as Celine Dion and New York City native Jennifer Lopez. Cove City Sound Studios is the total package of professionalism, talent, and support in an environment that encourages creativity without compromising quality or service. Dion recorded her 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th studio albums, Falling into You (1996), Let’s Talk About Love (1997), These Are Special Times (1998), A New Day Has Come (2002), and One Heart (2003) at Cove City. Lopez recorded her fourth studio album, 2005’s Rebirth, and her 7th studio album, 2011’s Love? at Cove City. Additionally, Justin Bieber recorded his song “Holy” the lead single from his sixth studio album, Justice (2021) at Cove City.

    Cove City Sound Studios consists of two studios, A and B, and a live room. Studio A is based around the legendary Neve 8068 and SSL 4000G+ consoles and includes a Pro Tools HD system with Apogee Symphony I/Os, along with a wide selection of outboard gear and plugins. The studio includes a production area with couches as well as access to our main lounge with a kitchen and cable TV.

    Studio A at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove.

    Studio B at Cove City is a modern production suite featuring some of the best analog and digital gear in the industry. The room houses a 24-channel Avid ICON D-Command console, Pro Tools HD and Ableton systems, a full assortment of vintage outboard gear, as well as an abundance of classic synths, MIDI gear, and plugins. Many award-winning recordings have come out of this room since Cove City first opened its doors, including Jennifer Lopez, who recorded two albums there as well as the music video for “On the Floor” from her 2011 seventh studio album Love.

    Studio B at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove.

    The live room is a big, beautiful sounding, 3-way modular tracking room with 2 isolation booths and a third sound lock area for additional isolation. It’s approximately 38 feet wide by 42 feet long with 35-foot ceilings and features a gorgeous-sounding Yamaha C6 grand piano. This room is equipped with a Private Q independent monitoring headphone system and is ideal for full band sessions and large tracking setups.

    The Live Room at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove.

    Pie Recording Studio in Glen Cove is owned by Perry Margoulef, a guitar player, songwriter, engineer, record producer, and car collector. The studio offers a variety of production, engineering, and mixing services for musical artists. Pie Recording Studios has been home to New York-based singers Alicia Keys, who recorded her fourth studio album, The Elements of Freedom (2009), and Jennifer Lopez, who recorded her fourth studio album, Rebirth (2005) in the facility.

    Perry Margoulef, owner of Pie Recording Studio in Glen Cove.

    Sink or Swim Recording Studios in East Northport is owned by Long Island-based music-producing collective MarlinBeats. With a brand new location and upgraded facilities, Sink or Swim Recording Studio offers top-of-the-line services, including, but not limited to, production, recording, mix/master, media packages, and content creation. For those artists looking to give their fans total access, Sink or Swim Recording Studio offers a one-of-a-kind experience. At the artist’s request, Sink or Swim Recording Studio will live-stream their recording session straight from the booth, allowing for unparalleled fan interaction. Sink or Swim Recording Studio will also create podcasts for artists, producers, and all other creators in order to maximize their reach and promote the products and services of their choosing.

    The recording studio at Sink or Swim consists of a control room (8×7 feet), a vocal booth with sound treatment/acoustics (7×7 feet booth), a window connecting the booth and control room, and a complete lounge with a TV, couch, Xbox, and surround sound (32×18 feet.) The equipment at Sink or Swim includes a 2020 iMac 27-Inch with a 3.6 GHz 10-Core Intel Core i9 Processor, with a 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, a Neumann TLM 102, a Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition 10×6 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD DSP, and SSL 2+ Audio Interface, and Adam Audio 8 Studio Monitors.

    Robbie, Henry, and Chris are the three members of the music collective MarlinBeats, who run Sink or Swim Recording Studios in East Northport.
    The 8×7 control room at Sink or Swim Recording Studios in East Northport.
    The 32×18 complete lounge at Sink or Swim Recording Studios in East Northport.

    Studio631 Recordings in Islandia is a professional recording studio working to provide an exceptional experience for artists in a creative environment. The studio is co-owned and primarily run by music engineers Matt Echo and Niko, who also serve as musical engineers. Matt combines his extensive knowledge of music with his certified comprehension of audio engineering to provide the best sound to the artists he works with. He is consistently building a diverse portfolio of artists, celebrities, and musicians he likes to work with. At an early age, Nico’s innate talent and dedication to music were evident, and he began playing drums and joined a heavy metal band at the age of 15.

    Studio631 has three studios, A, B, and C available for use by recording artists. Studio A was the first studio designed for 631 and has been renovated many times since 2017. Studio B is designed for workflow, and with a very crisp and clean sound, this room is best for vocals or production. Studio C is the studio’s best-sounding room, stocked with the best analog gear for recording and mixing. It is aesthetically pleasing for videos and even photo shoots.

    Matt Echo, co-owner, head engineer, and record producer at Studio631 Recordings in Islandia.
    Niko, co-owner and head engineer at Studio631 Recordings in Islandia.

    House Recording Studios in Plainview is run by owner and chief engineer Marc Bauman, who has esteemed accomplishments in sound engineering, music production, DJ entertainment, and live/studio percussion. Bauman graduated from Five Towns College, and during his college career, he began interning at prestigious recording facilities Electric Lady Studios (Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews Band) and Cove City Sound Studios (Billy Joel, Jennifer Lopez, Beach Boys). By observing these acclaimed artists and songwriters, he honed his craft and took his engineering and production level to new elevations.

    The vocal session room at House Recording Studios in Plainview.
    The control room at House Recording Studios in Plainview.
    Marc Bauman, owner, and chief engineer of House Recording Studios in Plainview.

    Applehead Recording and Production in Saugerties, just over one mile east of the center of Woodstock, is a residential recording facility that boosts both classic and modern gear, beautiful architecture and acoustics, and a big, accurate, and comfortable control room. The studio’s 700 square feet comfortable control room is (de)coupled from a 30,000 cubic foot timber frame and stone live room, (30x40x32 feet high.) Applehead has various isolated spaces that are both tied together and acoustically diverse. The console is a 32 i/o custom Neve desk (3503), with 32 “33” series mic pre/equalizers and 32 transformer balanced direct outs.

    The cockeyed desk in Applehead Recording Studio and Production in Saugherties.

    Area 52 Studios in Saugerties, founded by veteran musical engineer Dave Cook, is a full-service recording studio/audio facility. It is also the home of the Woodstock Recording Workshop and Hudson Valley Audio. Between the three divisions, artists can learn how to record their music in workshops, mix and master it for you in the studio, then the studio will sell and install a state-of-the-art Audio/Video system so artists can enjoy listening to their new record, then support the production for their tour.

    Area 52 owner and engineer Dave Cook has worked in the recording industry for over 25 years. He has album credits with artists such as The B-52’s, 10,000 Maniacs, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Juliana Hatfield, Graham Parker, Nick Cave, And The Bad Seeds, among others. He has mixed live, radio concert broadcasts for artists including David Bowie, Alanis Morissette, Bare Naked Ladies, Goo Goo Dolls, and Radiohead. In his time as chief engineer for several studios, Cook also worked in audio for video post-production, studio construction and design, team management, and staff training and development. Live concert sound has become a large part of Cook’s career lately, touring with artists such as Laurie Anderson, Carly Simon, Natalie Merchant, and Medeski; Martin and Wood, Ethel, Maya Beiser, and Marc Cohn.

    Cook grew up in Brooklyn and Staten Island and now lives in Saugerties with his wife, Julie, and daughter Lola. He has been a musician (guitar player) since the age of eight years old and played his first gig when he was nine. In 1985, he moved to Woodstock while continuing to work in Manhattan three-four days a week for a few months. Shortly after moving to the Catskills, Cook became the Chief Engineer at Dreamland Studios, working there for 10 years. Both during the time Cook was on staff at Dreamland and after he left, he worked on a freelance basis in studios in New, California, Boston, and Louisiana.

    Area 52 is a fully equipped Pro Tools HD studio that offers recording services with a comfortable atmosphere, easy access to everything, and ground-level load-in. They can take your project from start to finish including, tracking, mixing, editing, and mastering. The studio also offers podcast services and will edit their clients’ unedited, raw audio so it’ll sound just like a professionally produced podcast. Lastly, Area 52 offers live sound services and can support live events of up to approximately 500 people with our sound reinforcement services. They have a highly efficient system with excellent coverage and plenty of power, and anything that may be needed for a particular event can be acquired as well including lighting and video production. 

    Area 52 Studios in Saugerties.

    MonkMusic Studios in Northwest Harbor, a hamlet in the town of East Hampton, was opened by Cynthia Daniels, who also serves as chief engineer, in August 2011. Most recently, Beyonce recorded her seventh studio album, Renaissance, at MonkMusic Studios, which was her first studio release since 2016’s Lemonade. Daniels has also worked extensively in television and film contributing to thousands of projects and working with many renowned actors such as Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Blythe Danner, Liev Schreiber, Chris Bauer, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

    Daniels produced the music and mixed for Ted Turner’s mini-series “Avoiding Armageddon” a 4 part documentary on PBS; she’s recorded and mixed major themes for television including World News Tonight, 20/20, and a remix of ABC Wide World of Sports, and supervised/mixed the post-production for countless feature film promos for VH1 and MTV. Daniels now splits her time between East Hampton, and Manhattan, where orchestras come together for live large-studio work in Broadway and film.

    MonkMusic Studios offers two acoustically perfect and isolated live recording rooms, an extra large control room for comfort with ADR and ISDN, and remote recording services. The studio offers 5.1 recordings and mixing for all of your post-production requirements. They also have extensive sound effects and sample libraries and offer composition and arrangement/production services for any commercial or personal artistic venture.

    The studio is 650 square feet separated into three recording rooms, all acoustically isolated on concrete slabs. The studio design is based on a combination of optimal room proportion, membrane absorbers used for critical low-frequency room response, and specifically placed diffusers (in some instances transparent) for high-frequency reflection control. Video monitors are in every room for scoring or ADR. The equipment consists of a hybrid AVID C-24 console, multiple cue systems, a fully digital monitoring system, and more. Their microphone selection ranges from vintage favorites like NeumannU47 to some of the newest and clearest sounding tube mics from Telefunken (AK47) and Royer 122 Tube. The mic collection also features the UM 25 and UM 17 handbuilt TAB Funkenwerk microphones with a historic ElaM251 circuit.

    Cynthia Daniels, the owner and chief engineer of MonkMusic Studios.

    The Loft Sound Studio in Syosset was founded by Donnie Klang and Matthew LaPorte in 2011. Their credits include Jason Derulo, Sky Katz, Conor Maynard, Raquel Castro (The Voice / Songland), Anne Winters (13 Reasons Why), Why Don’t We, and more. The facility has coached, developed, and produced for thousands of up-and-coming recording artists through innovative vocal lessons full song creation from beginning to end, instrument lessons, and more, one of the first being Long Island-born singer Madison Beer. A then-unknown aspiring singer, The Loft helped coach, mentor, and develop her toward her first management deal with Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun. Newsday referred to The Loft as “A dream launchpad for singers, songwriters or producers; they help with artist development and the quest to be discovered.” 

    Donnie Klang and Matthew LaPorte, founders of The Loft Sound Studio in Syosset.

    Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset was created “for musicians, by musicians” and first opened in June 2015. The studio now happily provides a place where you can jam out and express your artistic skills, for an affordable price. Since its grand opening, Rapture Sound Studio has managed to create a Showcase Room, expand our musician network, and most importantly create really sick music. Rapture Sound Studio has four studios, A, B, C, and D, a showcase room, and a studio lounge available for use by musicians. Each room is equipped with the basics of speakers and a drum kit. Other equipment such as higher-end speaker systems, fuller drum kits, microphones, and mic stands, are found within the different studios offered. Studio A is equipped with 2 15″ electro-voice live speakers and paladin maple drums. Studio B is great for jamming out with our 2500 power amplifiers and 15″ JBL speakers. Studio C is perfect for practicing before a gig or just jamming out with a few friends. Studio D is our only room with 2 top of the line Fender super-sonic speaker cabinets. The brand-new showcase room is equipped with Yamaha drums and a large selection of amps. The lounge includes a 55″ LED smart TV with Netflix and video games.

    Studio A at Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset.
    Studio B at Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset.
    Studio C at Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset.
    Studio D at Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset.
    The Showcase Room at Rapture Sound Studios in Syosset.
    The Lounge at Rapture Sound Studio in Syosset.

    The A Room Studio in Hicksville has been servicing Long Island’s local bands for over 25 years. With friendly and courteous service provided by knowledgeable engineers, spacious parking, and camera surveillance you can practice with no worries. They have some of the largest rooms on Long Island. The A Room has five studios available for artists’ use, A, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

    Room A at The A Room Studio in Hicksville.
    Room 1 at The A Room Studio in Hicksville.
    Room 2 at The A Room Studio in Hicksville.
    Room 3 at The A Room Studio in Hicksville.
    Room 4 at The A Room Studios in Hicksville.

    PMA Recording Studios in Medford, which is temporarily closed, has had glowing reviews from the Long Island Press and fellow Long Island News Publisher Good Times Magazine. Patrick Nestor of the Long Island Press said, “Top Notch Studio Here Folks! Great Place, Great Engineer!” Good Times Magazine wrote, “The recording and production at PMA is superb, on par with major label recordings.”

    PMA Recording Studios in Medford.
    Bakithi Kumalo (bassist for Paul Simon) at PMA Recording Studios in Medford.
    Mike from Music Palace lending his skills at PMA.
    Paul Andrejack, owner, engineer, and producer at PMA Studios in Medford.
    NY Tenor Christopher D. Macchio at PMA Studios in Medord.
    VIG and Dirty (Joey Badass recording artist) at PMA Studios in Medford.

    Sabella Recording Studio in Roslyn Heights has been recording music on Long Island since 1980 after being built by owner Jim Sabella. The studio offers a variety of recording, editing, mixing, mastering, production, composition, post, and film services. Sabella has been in the music industry for over 40 years, and his professional career started in the mid-70s with guitar session work at various studios as well as club performances. He was signed to RCA Records and MCA Records as an artist in the early 80s. After building Sabella Recording Studio, he received independent and major label recognition with such platinum records as Public Enemy’s album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in 1988 and Marcy Playground’s self-titled debut release in 1997. 

    Sabella Recording Studio in Roslynn Heights.
    Jim Sabella, owner of Sabella Recording Studio in Roslyn Heights.

    There are several recording studios on Long Island where aspiring musicians can make a name for themselves in the industry, some of which gave today’s biggest names in music their big breaks. Long Island is second only to New York City in having the most amount of recording studios in New York State.

  • Phish Keep Garden Residency Rolling on Nights 4 and 5

    After their first weekend at Madison Square Garden, Phish took a day off and returned with even more energy, making the Tuesday, August 1 show stand head and shoulders above the three previous shows.

    phish madison square garden

    Opening up with a monstrous “Ghost” laid the groundwork for deep, exploratory jams, including an ethereal, outstanding version “Reba” that followed. You’d be remiss to find a version of Son Seals’ “Funky Bitch” that did not pair up as well with the energy that flowed from “Reba”‘s finale. “Timber (Jerry the Mule)” had a much longer presence in the first set than typically found, flowing into the debut of “Broken Into Pieces.” A rip-roaring 17-minute “Wolfman’s Brother” was quickly discussed at setbreak as one of the best versions ever seen, and the Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus” closed, easily the best first set of the run.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_mwN-I-OJU

    Throwing it back to the Baker’s Dozen, Set 2 opened with the rarely jam-friendly “Sample in a Jar,” and tonight would end up being the longest version of the Hoist track, at more than 17 minutes in total. The jam would spill over to “Kill Devil Falls” which included quotes from a new song not played this evening “The Well” from Fishman, and made for two sets of the first two songs combining for more than 28 minutes of music to get things started. “Golden Age” was another substantial jam to follow this pairing, with “Shade” giving the crowd a breather before dipping into the warm waters of “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” funk filling in the round room. A short “Twist” and set closing “You Enjoy Myself” would be the cap to the second set, fully

    phish garden

    For an encore, “Wilson” made an appearance where you might find “Cavern” or “Golgi Apparatus” following, but the ever rare “Sanity” making its first appearance in two years, giving fans a chance to cross this tune off their “Most Common Phish Songs Not Heard” list. Just when you thought it was over, the hi-hat intro of “David Bowie” gave way to an unexpected (now) three song encore, with a dialed in jam that seemed to be cut short after Trey and Fishman had a chat, only to close out “Bowie” and bring in “Character Zero” for the grand finale of the evening.

    Setlists via Phish.net

    Phish – Madison Square Garden, NYC – Tuesday, August 2

    Set 1: Ghost, Reba, Funky Bitch, Timber (Jerry the Mule), Broken Into Pieces[1], Wolfman’s Brother, I Am the Walrus

    Set 2: Sample in a Jar > Kill Devil Falls[2] > Golden Age, Shade > Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley > Twist, You Enjoy Myself

    Encore: Wilson > Sanity, David Bowie > Character Zero

    [1] Phish debut.
    [2] Unfinished.

    If there is a theme emerging from this run of Phish shows, it would simply be that each show is better than the last. Wednesday, August 3rd put that theory to the test, opening up with a pair of animal tunes, “Possum” and “Guyute,” both of which might be a vanilla way to start the show, but tonight the energy was high. So high that the Apples in Stereo song “Energy” reemerged in the rotation for the first time since last summer, providing a wonderful jam that found its way into the “Meatstick.” The fan interaction tune was met with a jam that followed and one of the smoothest segues you’ll find this summer as it moved into “It’s Ice.”

    Set two opened with a slow, funky jam, reminiscent of the Island Tour’s “Cavern” opener, and that was exactly the song that would emerge, a slow and funky version of the normally late-set tune. A fiery “Carini” followed, which brought back a jam on “Angels We Have Heard on High,” riffed by Trey quite a bit and also found in the “Kill Devil Falls” of Syracuse a few weeks prior. Following “Piper” was the new track, “The Well,” which at first sounds like “Wolfman’s Brother Part 2” but that’s just the first half. The second half of the song was one of the deepest jams the band could provide in a new song, one that fans will be clamoring for at SPAC and Dick’s later this summer.

    Closing the set were the “2001” jam-adjacent “The Howling”, “Taste” and “About the Run,” with a “Chalkdust Torture” tacked on at the end for good measure. For an encore, keyboardist Page McConnell appeared on stage with his keytar, signaling “Frankenstein,” which hadn’t been heard live since before Covid. But that wasn’t all – Anastasio would end up playing the opening notes to “Slave to the Traffic Light” for the final song of the night, eliciting immense cheers from the audience when Trey sang “Seen the Greatest City.”

    Phish – Madison Square Garden, NYC – Wednesday, August 3

    Set 1: Possum, Guyute, Axilla (Part II) > Energy -> Meatstick -> It’s Ice > Blaze On

    Set 2: Cavern[1] > Carini > Piper > The Well > The Howling > Taste > About to Run, Chalk Dust Torture

    Encore: Frankenstein[2], Slave to the Traffic Light[3]

    [1] Slow, funky version.
    [2] Page on keytar.
    [3] Lyrics changed to “see the best city.”

    Photos by Derek Java

  • The Phoenix Festival Returns For A Second Year Of Programming

    The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble revealed its lineup for its second annual Phoenix Festival, set to run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 21. The event will feature an engaging mixture of live theater, dance, music, and arts. Phoenix Festival includes 30 performances and will take place on multiple indoor and outdoor stages in Nyack, New York. 

    Founded in 2004, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is a nonprofit theatre ensemble producing in New York City and Nyack. Phoenix Festival is aimed at celebrating classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of the Nyack community. 

    Festival venues include the tented outdoor meadow stage at Marydell Faith and Life Center, the garden at Hopper House, the Nyack Center, the ‘little theater’ at Nyack’s RCC Culinary Arts Center, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar and Nyack’s classic restaurant the Hudson House. The festival boasts a diverse set of programming with something for all ages and interests. 

    We’re excited about the 2023 program, and proud to present world class live performances at affordable prices rarely available in ‘big city’ locations.

    Craig Smith, executive director, Phoenix Festival

    This year’s performances range from classic theatrical shows like Crime and Punishment and Now I am Alone, to stand-up poetry, and even an augmented reality tour. One of Phoenix Festival’s most innovative and creative performances is Pan and The Lost Boys. The show combines theater and dance to examine Black masculinity through hip-hop. Stemming from the killings of Tamir Rice, George Floyd, etc; Pan looks at the impacts of these events on the health, wellness, and growth of young black men in America.

    The Phoenix Festival gets underway on Sept. 28 with Crime and Punishment, directed by Karen Case Cook. A full list of performances can be found below. For tickets and details about the festival click here

    Festival Schedule 

    September 28- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    September 29- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    September 30- Remembering Good Harbor Beach- The Garden at Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center

    September 30- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    October 1- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    October 4- Scandalton- Maureen’s Jazz Cellar

    October 5- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center

    October 6- Wind and the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 6- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center

    October 7- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 7- Honduras- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 7- Pan and the Lost Boys (sold out)- Nyack Center

    October 8- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 8- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 9- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 9- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 11- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 12- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 13- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 14- ArtsRock Concert- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 14- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 15- Now I Am Alone starring Geoffrey Owens- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 19- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

    October 20- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

    October 21- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

  • Gregory McLoughlin Drops Uplifting New Single ‘Woody Guthrie’

    Gregory McLoughlin has ended the month of July in an incredible way as he just released his uplifting new track “Woody Guthrie.” The songwriter’s 13th single as a solo artist came paired with an exclusive video premiere on YouTube following his regular Monday Night Livestream.

    McLoughlin is a multitalented artist based in Jersey City whose expertise as a bass player and songwriter makes him a man of many musical occupations. On top of writing and recording his own music as a solo artist and working as a freelance upright and electric bass player around the New York City area, McLoughlin also takes time to write music for other musicians and bands including BuzzUniverse, Julia Kirk, Beeman and Bannon, Ana Oh, Anthony Tamburro, Ross Sandler, and many more. McLoughlin has also been able to spread his love of music through live-streaming, performing virtual concerts every Monday Night at 8:00 PM on his YouTube Live page.

    As fans now know after his latest live stream, McLoughlin’s recent single, named after and inspired by the legendary American Folk artist Woody Guthrie, is not only a dedication to the incredible musical powers that have come before but also declares that even though life is difficult, there is always a new day ahead with a silver lining. The track is a fast-paced, upbeat tune that includes a contagious melody allowing the words to match the instrumentals. Although the folk style and somewhat strange lyrics may not be for everyone, the single is worth a listen and is guaranteed to get even the stingiest critiques tapping their feet and grasping a message “that reflects the sound of Woody Guthrie.”

    Gregory McLoughlin explains, “Woody Guthrie is a song about reconnecting with loved ones, finding your true self through pain and hardship, and realizing that there is such thing as a new day.” The single is now available to stream on YouTube, Spotify, and more!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxXx7qzVndk
  • EDM Showcase Featuring Atlas.B Brings a Night of Rave Culture to Troy

    No Fun, a Capital Region music venue on River Street in Troy, hosted five live electronic acts this past Saturday, July 29. The night included an hour-long set from Albany-native Atlas.B, alongside performances from fellow DJs Spike Right, SM Ink, Dito, and Waybach.

    The self-proclaimed “hub for experimental music in the Capital Region” is a smaller-sized bar and music performance space owned by Downtown Albany bar Pint-Sized. No Fun has created a comfortable community vibe using multicolored string lights, wall murals, a low stage, and a spacious dance floor for crowd engagement.

    Lighting Designer Riley Irving from Colonie’s Technical Video Inc. programmed a dual-screen stage set-up featuring LED wall tiles that cycled through kaleidoscopic color patterns as a live visual accompaniment to the music.  Spike Right accompanied by Sherwood traded on-and-off the DJ setup for an hour of live D.I.Y. beats mixed with samples from popular rappers like Ice Spice.

    By 9 p.m., No Fun was packed from stage-front to the side of the bar with concertgoers. The crowd was made up of Capital Region locals out for an evening of casual nightlife, alongside electronic dance music (EDM) fans who brought the party with rave glow wands and brightly colored outfits. Shuffling and freestyle moves took over the dance floor as other crowd members encouraged more people to join in and clap to the beat.

    Dito and SM Ink continued the night with similar vibes of fresh beats intertwined with well-known hits. In contrast to the other performances, Waybach and Atlas.B have a deep bass and funk vibe. The pair have previously collaborated with singles “Life is So Hard” and “All Out of Time.” Altas.B not only performed previously released songs but also experimented with new mixes and techniques using Ableton Live. 

    The variety and creativity of each DJ set refreshed the crowd and kept the good energy flowing throughout the evening, with dancing only increasing with every passing hour. Listen to Altas.B’s newest single, “Don’t Look Back,” released on July 20, 2023, on all major platforms.

    For information on future shows at No Fun, visit their website at NoFunTroy.com.

    Photo Gallery by Jarron Childs

  • Foreigner Cranks Up The Jukebox on Their Way Out The Door

    If you are someone who is closer to 50 than you are to 25, chances are really good that you have listened to Foreigner, either on your own accord or thanks to friends or maybe parents. Were you riding around in your friend’s Trans-Am with your Aqua-Net glazed hair standing pat as “Juke Box Hero” filled the summer air? Maybe you were driving your 5.0 Mustang around with the cheerleading captain in the passenger seat, singing along to “I Wanna Know What Love Is.” Regardless, you have the memories, and you need not be embarrassed.

    Originally formed in 1977, Foreigner has had their time in the limelight. Now 46 years later, the band had decided to Rev on The Red Line for one more time, as they brought their Farewell Tour to Darien Lake Amphitheater on July 28.

    While the band has seen its share of members come and go, including founding members, Mick Jones has stood the test of time as the lone original member. Along with Rochester native Lou Gramm, Jones formed Foreigner with Ian McDonald (of King Crimson), Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliot, and Ed Gagliardi. The band’s name was decided based on citizenship. With three Brits and three Americans, at least half of the band would be foreigners no matter where they were playing.

    in 1977, Foreigner’s self-titled album was released and would be the first of 4 consecutive releases to go 5x platinum. “Feels Like First Time” and “Cold as Ice” would help make Mick Jones and crew a household name for years to come. The following year Double Vision peaked at number three on the charts and gave us “Hot Blooded” the title track, which became a number two hit.

    Into the 80s, Foreigner continued to have huge success with hits like “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero,” and the powerful ballads “Waiting For a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Songs that have stood the test of time, just as 78-year-old Mick Jones has.

    Opening up for Foreigner are Canadian rockers, Loverboy. With hits like “Turn Me Loose” and “Working For The Weekend,” Loverboy is no slouch in the arena rock business and are members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

    With nine studio albums to their credit, Mike Reno and the rest of Loverboy have been on and off for the past 30 years, touring with REO Speedwagon, Styx, Journey, Night Ranger, and Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo over this time.

    Tonight, though, Loverboy and Foreigner blew the tent of Darien Lake Amphitheater like it was 1985 all over again. Starting around 7:30 to an already packed house, Mike Reno and crew played exactly what the crowd came for. Hit after hit resonated with the crowd of fans that most likely owned cassette tapes of both bands and donned denim jackets 24/7.

    Starting with 1987’s “Notorious,” Reno hit the ground running hard and continued for nine more songs, finishing up with “Turn Me Loose” and “Everybody’s Working For The Weekend.” While they never had a number-one song or album, Loverboy made their mark on the music world and songs continue to be played and enjoyed by younger generations, as well as original fans.

    Loverboy setlist: Notorious, Lucky Ones, Queen of the Broken Hearts, Take Me to the Top, The Kid is Hot Tonight, Heaven in Your Eyes, Lovin’ Every Minute of It, Hot Girls in Love, Turn Me Loose, Working for the Weekend.

    Rocking the stage at 9 p.m., Foreigner took the stage without Mick Jones. They were fired up, though, and ready to go as they opened up with “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” and “Cold as Ice.” Sadly, while this is the Farewell Tour, Mick Jones will be a game-time decision for most stops on the tour, as he battles health issues that have limited his stage time since 2012.

    Even without the only remaining member, Kelly Hansen and the rest of the band kick some serious ass as it “Feels Like The First Time” with every show. Hard guitar riffs, solid drums, and vocals that bring a smile to Lou Gramm’s face are all part of what makes Foreigner the recognizable band they are.

    After the band finishes “Girl on The Moon,” Hansen addresses the modern issue of AI as it pertains to ‘art’ and associated topics. Clearly annoyed by so many who utilize computer-generated pieces of AI, he makes sure the fans know that this show is 100% live, with no use of AI whatsoever. Vocals are actually sung, and all the backing sounds are made right before our eyes. Just like the old days, we all remember.

    Going back to the memories mentioned before, this Hansen touches on that as they finish up a three song acoustic set. Mentions that while there are a handful of fans under the age of 40, the fans over 40 have the memories to last a lifetime. Music without AI, enjoying a full show without phones, and the joy of cassette tapes. “How many of those under 40 remember rolling up a cassette tape with a pencil?” Those are memories that the under-40 crowd won’t get or appreciate, and this feels like the first time they are hearing the song, like the song they released 46 years prior, “Feels Like the First Time.”

    As the night goes on, the crowd is getting more and more active, with fans dancing through the aisles and spilling their $18 can of beer, singing along with every word. As “Juke Box Hero” begins, the beer spiller is escorted to the exit, and the fans go nuts as they await the “standing in the rain…” opening lyric. On stage, however, there is no Kelly Hansen. Spotlights direct fans to the soundboard area, about halfway to the lawn seats. There stands Hansen strapped to a rising pedestal and about 30 feet above the crowd. Someone put a quarter in the jukebox, and Kelly Hansen is now the hero they wanted.

    For 46 years, Foreigner has stood the test of time. They have sold countless albums, download after download, and thousands of cassettes rolled up with number two pencils. They have been a recognizable voice for a generation that drank water from the hose and lived to talk about it. They get played at thousands of weddings and proms every year, and yet they are not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. For 46 years, the band that brought Lou Gramm and Mick Jones together is saying goodbye on this Farewell Tour and blowing the roofs off venues one last time. Do you have your tickets yet? Polish the Trans-Am, put on the leather pants one more time, pop side A of Double Vision in the cassette deck, and cruise on down to your local Ticketmaster outlet to get your tickets. Better yet, here is a shortcut.

    Setlist: Double Vision, Head Game, Cold as Ice, Waiting For a Girl Like You, Dirty White Boy, When it Comes to Love (acoustic), Girl on the Moon (acoustic), Say You Will (acoustic), Feels Like the First Time, Urgent, Keyboard solo, Drum Solo, Juke Box Hero, I Want to Know What Love Is, Hot Blooded

  • Rockin For Ronald Benefit Concert Comes to Shepard Park, With Skeeter Creek, The Accents, and More

    Seven great bands will perform for free from Aug. 3-5 at Shepard Park in Lake George for the Rockin For Ronald Benefit Concert supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

    The benefit shows will help Krantz Cottage, the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat location. It is for families whose children are experiencing serious illnesses and can house up to two families at a time for stays as long as five days.

    Two bands will perform on Thursday and Friday and three on Saturday. Admission to all shows is free, and vendors will be on hand with beverages and food for sale. Kicking off the event on Aug. 3 from 6-7:10 p.m. is Across the Pond, who has been performing the music of The Beatles in the Northeast since 2008. Also performing from 7:30-9:30 are The Accents, a high-energy dance band that has been a staple in the Capital Region for many years. Featuring three powerhouse vocalists, a dynamic rhythm section, and powerful horns, they cover all your favorite Motown, dance, pop, and classic rock songs. They are also one of the first groups to be inducted into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music
    Hall of Fame and to be nominated for top dance band. Following the music is a spectacular fireworks show.

    The next day, Aug. 4, starts from 6-7:10 p.m. with The Newells, a family band that includes well-known keyboard/guitar player and vocalist Jonathan Newell, his wife Jennifer, their teenage sons Brandon and Evan, and a great rhythm section. They cover music from the 60s-80s, including music by Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Hornsby, and 10,000 Maniacs. Ending the night from 7:30-9:30 p.m. is Skeeter Creek, a five-piece Americana band blending their variants of country, folk, bluegrass, and rock, ranked among the best of the new and upcoming alternative artists. They have each toured with some of the biggest names in the industry and won several awards.

    Skeeter Creek.

    The final day, Aug. 5, has three acts, starting from 4-5:40 p.m. with The Schmooze. The band has been one of the region’s premier party bands for the past two decades, getting the party rocking with their versions of rock, pop, dance, and country hits that will have the crowd dancing and singing along. The Ultimates, a fairly new band from Saratoga, plays from 6-7:10 p.m., featuring members from Bad Cheaperones and Dealt the Blues.

    Ending the Rockin For Ronald benefit concert is Classic Rock Legends Live in Concert from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Formed by Albany native Gary Weinlein, the performance includes him as the Doors’ Jim Morrison, as well as recreates the music, the look, and the energy of the British Invasion (Eric Clapton) and American rock legends (Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson of Heart).

  • Hearing Aide: Drew Jacobs ‘Get Your Ha​-​Ha’s Out!’

    Drew Jacobs, a Comedy Musician from Latham released his fifth CD, Get Your Ha-Ha’s Out! Recorded live at The Linda, WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio in Albany, the album is a brilliant mix of witty stand-up and original songs.

    Drew Jacobs

    Drew Jacobs first saw commercial success in 2001 when “Santa Claus is Coming To Rock You” aired on the nationally syndicated Dr. Demento Radio Show. Since then, Jacobs released more albums, including Easy Listening For The Hard of Hearing, I’m Allergic To My Job, and more. His latest release, Get Your Ha-Ha’s Out!, seamlessly blends stand-up comedy and original songs.

    “I write what makes me laugh: relationships, modern society and life as a babyboomer,” Jacobs wrote on his website. He also listed his musical influences, such as The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Weird Al Yankovic, and more.

    Get Your Ha-Ha’s Out! is an excellent showcase of Drew Jacob’s talent for both comedy and music. Jacobs managed to produce an album that is both funny and insightful. Moreover, there is something on the album for all listeners to enjoy.

    Listen to Get Your Ha-Ha’s Out! on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

    Key Tracks: I’m Allergic to My Job, Dylan’s Just Screwin’ With You, There’s An App For That

  • Boy George and Culture Club bring the new wave vibe to Darien Lake

    When Culture Club burst onto the scene in the early 80s, new wave music was the new big thing. Synthesizers, flashy attire, neon lights, and new sounds were all the rage in music and Boy George knew how to play the game well. Always known as a flashy dresser, Boy George and Culture Club became icons in the new wave genre. Now, 40 years later, the music style is making a new splash and of course one of the originals is right there again, as they bring The Letting It Go Show to Darien Lake on July 29. Riding the waves on the tour are Howard Jones and Berlin.

    With rain showers going on for the early part of the day, and more in the forecast, Darien Lake Amphitheater is slow to fill as Howard Jones takes the stage for a 40-minute set. A flashy dresser in his own right, Jones comes out in classic 80s attire consisting of a black suit with a t-shirt underneath, Don Johnson would be proud. Jones belts out hits such as “No One is to Blame,” “Everlasting Love,” and “Like to Get To Know You Well” as diehard fans from yesteryear sing along with him.

    Following up Jones was Berlin, who had some success with a song from some movie with Maverick and Goose. Additionally, Terri Nunn and her bandmates have put out nine studio albums since 1979, when Nunn joined the band for the first time as lead singer. While they never tore up the charts, Berlin did have their biggest, and ultimately last, big hit in 1986’s Top Gun, “Take My Breath Away.”

    Like Howard Jones and Culture Club, Berlin’s sound was in the new wave genre and influenced by sounds coming over from Germany and much of Western Europe at the time. Tweak some keyboard notes, add a little more synth-pop to it, and presto, you have your own style.

    Finishing up the night was the iconic and poignant Boy George with Culture Club. With iconic sound, looks, and creativity, Boy George is welcomed to the stage standing atop a small staircase flanked by two drum kits, casually outfitted with stereotypical baggy and bright clothing.

    Joining him on stage were the two drummers, two dancers/backup vocalists, a saxophonist, two bassists, and a keyboardist. Just like the glory days, Boy George puts on an eclectic show, with everyone on stage taking part in the production. The two dancers provide backing vocals throughout the set, as well as both strut their stuff at the front of the stage later in the set. Equally amazing job by both, and the crowd made them aware.

    Going through the set, it was noticeably more mellow than the classic sounds of Culture Club, which provided a little more upbeat mix. During “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” the song almost seemed dragged out as Boy George took his time and made it more of a story. It was very reminiscent of “The Crying Game” from the early 90s which was a solid rendition.

    Regardless of the sounds you hear today or what it may have sounded like 40 years ago, this tour with Boy George & Culture Club, Howard Jones, and Berlin is the perfect blend of original new wave artists as a new generation is getting cultured in ‘old people music.’

  • Funk Group The Motet Announces Fall Tour, Stops in Albany and Sherman

    Funk and soul group The Motet announce their 2023 Fall tour, a 28-city journey, with three stops in New York, introducing the band’s new lead singer Sarah Clarke to fans and audiences nationwide.

    With the tour spanning from Sept. 9 through Dec. 3, the Denver-based ensemble is excited to bring Clarke along with the rest of the crew: Dave Watts, Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers, Ryan Jalbert, and Drew Sayers.

    Clarke is a vocalist and songwriter from Portland, Oregon, known for her powerful voice and widespread range of recognition through her talent and performances. Having toured in the past with bands such as Dirty Revival and San Francisco-based soul psych-rock band Con Brio, Clarke brings immense experience and ability to the veteran group.

    As for The Motet, the band formed over two decades ago, blending funk, rock, soul, and jazz into their extensive discography.

    Coming off the release of their tenth studio album All Day in January, the band continues to find new, innovative ways to expand their music horizon. Additionally, The Motet believes the upcoming tour and the incorporation of Clarke into the group will make for more excitement.

    Musically, we [The Motet] are a great fit, I feel pushed to perform at the top of my game because I know they are going to bring it every night. Interpersonally, we gel wonderfully and it’s been a true pleasure to get to know them.”

    – Sarah Clarke

    Performing six headlining slots at Red Rocks, sets at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, and countless sell-out shows, the group ensures that their upcoming Fall tour will be yet another amazing experience for fans and the ensemble.

    Concert Schedule & Ticket Information

    Shows in New York will be bold, as The Motet will perform at the Fire Lights Festival in Sherman, NY Sept. 8-10, Oct. 8 in Albany, and Oct. 12 in Pawling.

    The Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 shows will be a part of the Fall tour while also being included in their respective festival schedules.

    For tickets, visit the band’s website themotet.com.

    9/8-10 – Sherman, NY | Fire Lights Festival
    9/15-17 – Greenfield, MA | Wormtown Festival
    9/20 – Virginia Beach, VA | Elevation 27
    9/21 – Roanoke, VA | 5 Points Music Sanctuary
    9/22 – High Point, NC | Cohab Space
    9/23 – Pelham, TN | Subterranea Fest @ The Caverns
    9/28-10/1 – Lake Perris, CA | Same Same But Different Fest
    10/5 – Leesburg, VA | Tally Ho Theater 10/6 – Darlington, MD | Ramble Festival
    10/7 – Asbury Park, NJ | The Stone Pony
    10/8 – Albany, NY | Lark Hall
    10/11 – Rutherford, NJ | The Williams Center
    10/12 – Pawling, NY | Daryl’s House
    10/13 – Hampton Beach, NH | Wally’s
    10/14 – Portland, ME | Aura
    10/27 – Fort Collins, CO | Washington’s
    10/28 – Boulder, CO | Boulder Theater
    10/31 – Frisco, CO | 10 Mile Music Hall
    11/8 – Kansas City, MO | recordBar
    11/9 – Peoria, IL | Kenny’s Westside
    11/10 – Chicago, IL | Park West
    11/11 – Minneapolis, MN | Amsterdam Bar and Hall
    11/12 – Omaha, NE | Slowdown
    11/29 – Fayetteville, AR | George’s Majestic Lounge
    11/30 – Oklahoma City, OK | Tower Theatre
    12/1 – Dallas, TX | Deep Ellum Art Co 12/2 – Austin, TX | The Mohawk
    12/3 – Houston, TX | Last Concert Cafe

    The Motet live at the Brooklyn Bowl in April 2022