NYS Music 2023

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  • Toad The Wet Sprocket has Good Intentions for Canandaigua

    Back in the day when Drakkar was the go-to scent for young men and the smell of clove cigarettes was the norm, Toad the Wet Sprocket was becoming a household name. On June 22, they brought their sounds to Lincoln Hill Farms, a small rustic backwoods venue just outside of Canandaigua.

    Opening up for TTWS was Marcy Playground. Back in 1996, Marcy Playground was riding the merry-go-round waiting for a big break. They were awarded that break when they were invited to tour with Toad. 27 years later, here they are on tour together again.

    Marcy Playground is fronted by John Wozniak, Shlomi Lavie on drums, and Dylan Keefe on bass. On this night, Keefe could not make the trip so Scot Alexander of Dishwalla filled in and crushed it as if he were in the band for years. Of course the fans knew every word to every song and came close to overpowering Wozniak’s voice on Sex And Candy.

    Setlist for Marcy Playground: Poppies, Pigeon Farm, Rock and Roll Heroes, Special, Saint Joe on the School Bus, Rebel Sodville, A Cloak of Elvenkind, Punk Rock Superstar, Wave Motion Gun, Sherry Fraser, Deadly Handsome Man, Sex and Candy, Star Baby

    Formed in the late 80s, Toad the Wet Sprocket is named after a Monty Python skit when the band needed a name so they could enter a talent contest. Although the band called it temporary and a joke, the name has stuck.

    Lead singer Glen Phillips smooth voice can transition into any style flawlessly, so it makes sense to see his style described as folky and alt-pop. Songs like “Good Intentions” and “All I Want” are great examples of both pop and alternative sounds, while a song like “I Will Not Take These Things for Granted” yields a more folk sound.

    Another folk style song from Phillips was “Transient Whales,” which he performed acoustically using a 50s style microphone to enhance the sound. Trucking along flawlessly, he forgot some lyrics but thanks to fan in the front row, he was able to get back on track and finish it out.

    Minus the aforementioned scents and a parking lot of full of Ford Tempos and Chevy Cavaliers, Toad took fans back to the 90s with hits such as “Walk on The Ocean,” “All I Want,” and “Good Intentions.” The respectable crowd of near middle-aged parents danced around like they were still in high school partying at the Saturday night bonfires.

    While they have not been producing new music on regular basis, the band released Starting Now in August of 2021 the title track and “Old Habits Die Hard” released in September and October of same year. Keep up to date with Toad the Wet Sprocket here.

    Setlist: Windmills, Come Down, California Wasted, Crowning, Hold On, Nanci, Whatever I Fear, All I Want, Transient Whales, Good Intentions, Closer to Fine (Indigo Girls), The Moment, Dam Would Break, Fly From Heavan, Pray Your Gods, Nightingale Song, Crazy Life, Something’s Always Wrong, Walk On The Ocean, Fall Down, I Will Not Take These Things For Granted

  • So Good, the Neil Diamond Experience, Turns on the Heartlight at The Egg’s Swyer Theater

    On Friday evenings in late June, the Empire State Plaza hosts numerous high school graduations. Tucked away between South Colonie and RCS graduates and their families on June 23 was the entrance to The Egg, where So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience performed to an enthusiastic crowd who knew all the words to the deep cuts and all the hits from Diamond’s decades-spanning catalog.

    so good neil diamond

    Following a run of sold out shows throughout Long Island and New Jersey over the past three years, So Good! is an all-Long Island band that began a run of 40 shows over the next 10 months with their performance at the Swyer Theatre at The Egg. Fronted by Broadway, TV and film star Robert Neary, the show was truly impressive and hit all the right notes from start to finish. His tribute to Neil Diamond in appearance, on stage mannerisms and voice made the evening truly unforgettable, with The Mystics backing him up and never missing a beat.

    With a crowd – median age: retired – nestled into their seats before the 8pm show time, the band slowly took the stage, with Neary outside the doors singing the opening lines to “America” before appearing on stage with the band for the crescendo of the song. Hits that most everyone in the audience knew the words to – “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “Blue Jeans” and “Song Sung Blue” – would follow, with the band jumping from tune to tune until after “Longfellow Serenade” where Neary spoke about E.T. and how it had a profound influence on Diamond, which led him to write the next song, “Heartlight.” 

    More banter about Diamond’s scant film career discussed a movie he did not land a part in, but affected him profoundly, Bob Fosse’s Lenny. This led to an identity crisis for Diamond, and amid this and moving he and his family to Los Angeles, he penned “I Am… I Said.” Another film song, “Hello” from Diamond’s most memorable film, The Jazz Singer, would follow, before the horns rejoined the rest of the Mystics for “Solitary Man,” “Holly Holy” and the deep cut “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show” that got the crowd up and moving. If that didn’t do it, “Cherry, Cherry” capped off the show, with a noncore of “Sweet Caroline” and “Soolaimon” to close it out. 

    So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is on tour this summer and fall, with an incredible stage show and songs you’ll be singing along to all night and on the way home. Check out their website for more details.

    So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience 2023 Tour Dates

    June 28 145 Park Avenue NYC

    July 5 Newbridge Road Park, Bellmore, NY

    July 9 Sieminski Theatre,  Basking Ridge, NJ

    July 14 Seaside Pavillion, Old Orchard Beach, ME

    July 15 Ellsworth Allen Park, Farmingdale, NY

    August 17 Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre – Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY

    August 19 The Murphy Theatre, Wilmington, OH

    September 9 Infinity Music Hall, Hartford, CT

    October 8 The Argyle Theatre, Babylon, NY 

    October 13 The Argyle Theatre, Babylon, NY 

    so good neil diamond

    So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience – The Swyer Theater at The Egg – Albany, June 23, 2023

    Set 1: America, Cracklin’ Rosie, Blue jeans, Song sung blue, Longfellow Serenade, Heartlight, I am… I Said, Hello, Love on the Rocks, September Moon, I’m a Believer

    Set 2: You are the Sun, Shilo, Kentucky Moon, Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon, Solitary Man, Holly Holy, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, Cherry, Cherry, Sweet Caroline, Soolaimon

  • Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Continues To Showcase Local Acts

    The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival will once again bring the sounds and soul of jazz music to Upstate New York. The celebration is now in its 14th season and has long acted as one of the premier showcases for local musicians. This year’s festival runs from August 9-13. 

    While there have been plenty of big names that have performed at the festival, the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival is truly dedicated to fostering and exhibiting musical talent around the region. Going along with the theme of community, the event will not take place at just one location like a traditional festival. Instead, the festival will unfold across various restaurants, clubs, galleries, community centers, and stages. 

    Among the towns where the festival will be held include Kingston, Warwick, Tarrytown, Montgomery, Stone Ridge, Greenwood Lake, and Woodstock. Another unique aspect of the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival is that each specific venue chooses the performers. Every participating town, business, and/or organization will have the ability to highlight the artist(s) of their preference. The result is a hyper-local experience that looks to demonstrate the diverse sounds and styles of jazz in Hudson Valley. 

    Drummer Taru Alexander via hudsonvalleyjazzfest

    There will be over 20 performances as part of the festival, with many of them being free. It all gets started on Wednesday, August 9 at The Cove in Greenwood Lake. The performance features a local all-star lineup including well-known vibraphonist Bill Ware. 

    Check here for the complete details of the festival, performers and venues are subject to change.

    Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Summer Lineup

    Wed Aug 9

    7 PM-  Taru Alexander, Robert Kopec, Eric Person, Bill Ware- The Cove, 13 Castle Court, Greenwood Lake

    7PM- Sean Crimmins Heart Strings Band- Front St. Tavern 63 North Front St. Kingston

    Thurs. Aug 10

    6:30 PM – Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet- On The Lawn,1405 Kings Hgwy Sugar Loaf Crossing, Sugar Loaf

    7 PM- Bill Pernice Trio- Coquito, Forester Ave. Warwick

    7 PM- Bill Evans Tribute- UpFront Gallery, 31 Jersey Ave, Port Jervis

    7PM- Depetris/Laks Duo- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    Friday Aug 11

    6:30 PM- Vanessa Racci Band Presented by Jazz Forum Art- Pierson Park, 238 West Main St, Tarrytown

    7 PM- JUDI SILVANO + FRIENDS: Summertime Songs with Matt Finck, Teri Roiger, Gabriele Tranchina, & John Menegon- Astoria Hudson 84 Clinton Street, Montgomery ($20 Suggested Donation for Fundraiser for the Wallkill River Center for the Arts in Montgomery, NY)

    6 PM- Soul Jazz Collective with Steve Raleigh- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    7 PM- Jerry Vivino & Friends, with Adam Nussbaum, Sue Williams and Tomoko Ohno- Railroad Green, Railroad Ave, Warwick.  

    Saturday Aug 12

    12 PM- Nancy Tierney Trio- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    1 PM- Rave Tesar / Mike Jackson Group- Trails End Taphouse, Greenwood Lake Garden Market 1197 17A, Greenwood Lake

    7 PM- David Amram- Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St Beacon

    7 PM-  Jeff Ciampa with Chris Pasin Quartet- Lydia’s 7 Old US 209 Stone Ridge

    7 PM- Steve Slagle Group with Matt Garrity- BARNSTOCK, 86 Baumgarten Rd. Woodstock.

    Sunday Aug 13

    2 PM- Billy Stein, Joe Giardullo, Harvey Sorgen- Albert Wisner Library, 1 McFarland Dr, Warwick

    3 PM- The Rick Savage Quartet with Joe Vincent Tranchina, Gandharva Earl Sauls and special guest artist Eliot Zigmund- The Last Whiskey Bar, 45 Woodlands Way, Warwick

    6 PM- Bob Shaut and Sax Life- Frank Guido’s Little Italy, 4 Thomas St, Kingston7PM- The Analog Jazz Orchestra with special guest artist– The Falcon, 1348 Rt 9W Marlboro

  • TKTS Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Times Square

    TKTS, which revolutionized same-day discount theatre tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, has announced it is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Times Square with special activities.

    TKTS

    The Theatre Development Fund’s TKTS will celebrate its golden anniversary behind the TKTS Booth on Broadway and 47th Street, in front of the red steps on June 28, starting at 11 a.m. The City of New York will present a proclamation to TDF which will be accepted by S. Epatha Merkerson, a two-time Tony Award nominee and beloved star of Law & Order and Chicago Med, along with other activities.

    The look of the TKTS Booth may have changed over the years, but what happens at it has not. For 50 years, TKTS has provided affordable tickets to people on a budget who would not be able to attend Broadway and Off Broadway any other way. Among the many things TKTS has done over the years is to build new audiences. More than 30% of folks who get tickets at TKTS have never been to a Broadway show before. We’re proud to be able to continue to be the entry point for millions of new theatregoers and grateful to have been of service to New Yorkers, tourists from all over the US and indeed the world.

    Victoria Bailey, TDF’s Executive Director.

    Operated by TDF, a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, TKTS Times Square opened for business on June 25, 1973, and quickly became a mecca for theatergoers from all over the world. Selling same-day discount tickets, the booth is one of New York City’s most photographed landmarks. The current booth, housed under red glass steps, opened in 2008 and has garnered more than a dozen international design awards.

    To date, TKTS has been responsible for 68.6 million admissions to thousands of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, returning over $2.68 billion in revenue to those shows over the past half-century. The early supporters did not realize they were creating a phenomenon that would be replicated worldwide, and since then, booths have developed in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, London, and Sydney.

    TKTS
    TKTS in 1973.

    The celebration in Times Square features emcee Eric Ulloa, an actor, playwright, and TDF Wendy Wasserstein Project mentor, Broadway Inspirational Voices, who will perform a medley of songs from Broadway musicals of the past 50 years, arranged by the ensemble’s artistic director Allen René Louis, and a Broadway sing along with tunes played by Marie’s Crisis pianist Franca Vercelloni. There will also be TKTS gift certificate giveaways, TKTS trivia, and a roaming photo booth.

    For more information about TDF’s TKTS, visit here.

  • Steve Miller Band Summer Tour stops in the heart of Berkshires

    A rainy Friday evening on June 23 did not keep fans from dancing the night away to Steve Miller Band at Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Ma.

    Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers opened up the evening with an hour-long set playing a great selection of their hits such as “My Resolve,” “That is the Way it is,” and “Mandolin Rain.” Bruce chatted very little in between songs but did mention that he was happy to return to Tanglewood for the first time in 29 years.

    During the brief intermission while the stage was being prepped, people mingled with friends and neighbors as well as walk up to the stage edge to snap photos of the iconic white pegasus design from the album Book of Dreams on the drum kit.

    Steve Miller Band took the stage and with a clever introduction they started off their set with “Swing Town” followed by many hits such as “Fly like an Eagle,”” The Stake,” “Jet Airliner,” “Born in the USA,” and “The Joker” during their 90-minute set.  Steve also shared a fun personal story about his first Les Paul guitar which he had on stage with him. 

    Steve Miller Band is currently on their summer tour, below is a list of their planned stops:

    June 28 – Boston, Ma
    June 29 – Selbyville, DE
    July 1 – Wantagh, NY
    July 2 – Bethel, NY
    July 7 – Cincinnati, OH
    July 8 – Niagara Falls, ON
    July 27 – Austin, TX
    July 29 – Houston, TX
    July 30 – Dallas TX
    August 3 – Waukegan, IL
    August 5 – Lincoln, NE
    August 8 – Shipsewana, IN
    August 9 – Youngstown, OH
    August 11 – Jackson, MI
    August 12 – Clarkstown, MI

    Steve Miller Band is also touring in September & December. Be sure to check out their website for all their up-to-date tour information.

    Steve Miller Band

  • Les Claypool Brings His Fearless Flying Frog Brigade to The Capitol Theatre

    On Friday, June 23, Les Claypool performed with his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, a talented band featuring Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keys, Paolo Baldi on drums, Skerik on saxophone, and Mike Dillon on percussion. They are playing a massive tour including the Peach Music Festival this coming weekend.

    Neal Francis opened up the show with a funky set full of catchy riffs and exceptional vocal work. This proved to be much lighter to the heavier, bass rich riffs of Les Claypool. It fit well as an opening act but the music was truly different.

    Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade opened up their set with “Thela Hun Ginjeet”, a King Crimson cover, followed by a couple Les Claypool songs including one about mushrooms, a very trippy “Amanitas”. 

    This led to the band performing Pink Floyd’s iconic album Animals, a psychedelic and heavy album; quintessential of the dark 1977 Pink Floyd sound. This proved to be an incredible performance, close to the studio version with really great solos and vocals by both Sean Lennon & Les Claypool.

    Afterwards, the band played “Precipitation” & “Cosmic Highway” to close out their set, quickly returning for a lengthy encore featuring “One Better” & “Whamola”.

    Different shenanigans included Les Claypool playing a stand up bass with a bow, wearing a pig mask, and ultimately a disco ball helmet. This along with Claypool’s relaxed stage presence and banter, and of course virtuoso level musicianship resulted in an intensely fun and laid back Fearless Flying Frog Brigade show.

    Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade – The Capitol Theatre – June 23, 2023

    Setlist: Thela Hun Ginjeet, Rumble of the Diesel, Amanitas, Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon, Pink Floyd’s Animals, Pigs on the Wing, Part 1, Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep, Pigs on the Wing, Part 2, Precipitation, David Makalaster, David Makalaster II, Cosmic Highway

    Encore: One Better, Whamola

    Photos by Cory Schwartz

    photos by Filip Zalewski

  • The Bones of J.R. Jones Releases Single “Heaven Help Me” Ahead of His Upcoming Album ‘Slow Lightning’

    The Bones of J.R. Jones has recently announced the upcoming release of his first full-length album in more than five years. Slow Lightning, will be dropped on October 13th, and to hold fans over, the announcement comes paired with the release of the album’s debut single “Heaven Help Me.” The New York-based artist, Jonathon Linaberry, won’t stop there, however, as he has also announced a US and European tour to begin in August.

    Linaberry first launched the one-man band in 2012 with his track “Wilderness.” Since then, he has worked to expand his blues, folk, and country sound through his talent as a songwriter, storyteller, visual artist, performer, and musician which can easily be seen through his new music and hoped for with the anticipated album. Slow Lightning will feature a total of 12 tracks produced by Linaberry’s frequent collaborator Kiyoshi Matsuyama and will deal with the sensations of doubt and desire in the face of nature and fate. The title, Slow Lightning, as well as the track themes were inspired by the difficulty of its creation. Linaberry claims he was at the hands and power of the music and his surroundings rather than the other way around.

    “I felt very lost at the time I was writing these songs,” Linaberry confesses. “It was a moment of deep crisis and anxiety, but I knew the only way out was through, which meant I just had to bring myself to the table every day and put in the work.”

    His latest single, “Heaven Help Me,” was created with the intention of constant movement both in rhythm and sound while the lyrics became a mode of expressing the relentlessness and overwhelming quality of the ups and downs of life. Throughout the song, both sound and lyrics work with one another to create an eerie and anxiety building record as Linaberry calls out through a distorted echo, “All my love pouring out of my eyes is drowning me tonight.” He hopes to reach his audience by conveying a shared desire for release which the song delivers at the very end after a constant build of instrumentals and layered voices gives in to wide open space. The Bones of J.R. Jones will take this debut single out on tour in the fall which will include an exclusive album release show in his home state of New York at Mercury Lounge on October 13th.

    “Heaven Help Me” is now available on all music streaming services with tickets for Linaberry’s tour going on sale on Friday, June 23rd. As for the highly anticipated album, Slow Lightning will be released via Tone Tree Music!

    The Bones of J.R. Jones 2023 Tour

    September 2 – Fairmont, WV – Palatine Park 

    September 7 – Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward 

    September 8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe 

    September 9 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 

    September 10 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark 

    September 12 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi 

    September 13 – Chicago, IL – Schubas 

    September 14 – Columbus, OH– Basement 

    September 15 – Syracuse, NY – Funk N’ Waffles 

    September 16 – Windham, NY – Cave Mountain Catskills Festival 

    October 12 – Washington, DC – DC9 

    October 13 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

    October 14 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios

    October 16 – Richmond, VA – Camel 

    October 17 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern Cafe and Music Hall 

    October 18 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop

    October 19 – Charlotte, NC – Evening Muse 

    October 20 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic

    October 21 – Nashville, TN – The Basement 

    November 8 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso 

    November 9 – Luxembourg, LUX – Gudde Wellen 

    November 10 – Paris, FR – No.Pi 

    November 11 – London, UK – Omeara 

    November 14 – Cologne, DE – Jaki 

    November 15 – Hamburg, DE – Uebel & Gefährlich 

    November 16 – Berlin, DE – Kantine Berghain 

    November 17 – Leipzig, DE – Naumanns 

    November 18 – Frankfurt, DE – Brotfabrik

  • In Focus: The Quebe Sisters at Caffe Lena

    Texas-style folk music made a stop at Caffe Lena on Thursday, June 22, with the swing revival sounds of The Quebe Sisters. The Dallas group played to a sold out crowd this evening, emanating progressive western swing with jazz and blues influences peppered throughout, as well as a healthy dose of comedy and the history behind the music.

    These sisters first appeared on my radar thanks to Col. Bruce Hampton, a legend among jam band fans, who had a keen eye for identifying and fostering talent throughout his career. Only mentioned in passing in a 2016 interview, the sisters shared with NYS Music that their connection to Col. Bruce was thanks to his fellow Aquarium Rescue Unit member (and current Widespread Panic guitarist), Jimmy Herring. It was he who saw them perform at a local fair in Georgia, met them following the show (all parties were humbled), and Herring later put the band  on Col. Bruce’s radar. From Hampton’s lips to my ears, Caffe Lena was the perfect venue this evening.

    As the performance began promptly at 7pm, standing on stage left to right were sisters Hulda, Grace and Sophia, who have each been playing fiddle for more than two decades. Joining them were Simon Stipp on guitar and Daniel Parr on bass, and at times, Grace would play snare drum ever so lightly, stirring with a brush in one hand, and a light tap of the stick with the other. An evening of old-timey folk music, with some songs more than a century old, began with “Avalon” by Al Jolson. If T. Bone Burnett were tasked to produce a soundtrack in the style of O Brother, Where Are Thou?, the sounds of the Quebe Sisters would be a centerpiece of the album. 

    With folk songs of trails, cowboys and traveling, tunes of pioneers were played, a history lesson in the form of stories handed down as song. A dive into 19th century poetry yielded “My Love, My Life, My Friend, influenced by the Emily Dickinson poem “That it will never come again.” A duet of “Lullaby of Birdland” was followed by The Mills Brothers’ arrangement of a 1942 song, “Cow Cow Boogie” and the medley “Speed the Plow” which closed a set that had the style of music you’d expect to hear in a Quentin Tarantino film.

    The all fiddle family returned for a second set with “Lonesome Road” and the wonderful “Shame on You,” which hit all the right spots, reminiscent of Patsy Montana’s “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.”

    Set to the tune “Home on the Range,” the prescient and eerily humorous “Drone on the Range” sang of the perils of technology and the neighbors who misuse it. The Bob Wales instrumental “Roly Poly” would follow, along with Ray Charles’ “Georgia on my Mind” and the instrumental “Load in at 7 (leave at 8) likewise was a tongue in cheek take on life on the road. 

    “Lullaby of Leaves” saw the three sisters fiddling together, before diving into the extensive catalog of fellow Texan Willie Nelson on “Summer of Roses, follows by a unique as ever “Merch Jingle” to encourage fans to meet and greet them after the show and pick up merchandise before heading out. “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie” would close the set, and the original familial song “Texas” served as the lone encore. 

    The Quebe Sisters have one of the most unique harmonies and a sound that bridges generations of country and western music, influenced by time and the fiddle prowess of a trio of 20 years strong, just getting started.

    The Quebe Sisters – Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs – June 22, 2023

    Set 1: Avalon, Please Don’t Talk > Going Away Party, Teardrops, Pierce the Blue > Twin Guitar, Timber Trail > Trouble in Mind, My Love, My Life, My Friend, Lullaby of Birdland, Cow Cow Boogie, Twilight > Speed the Plow

    Set 2: Lonesome Road > Shame on You, Distraction, Drone on the Range, Roly Poly, Georgia on my Mind, Load in at 7 (Leave at 8), Day People, Lullaby of the Leaves, Swingin’ the Bow, intros > Summer of Roses, Merch Jingle > It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie

    Encore: Texas

    photos by Derek Java

  • Hearing Aide: “Washed Away” by Glass Pony

    Friday, June 23rd marks the release date of Glass Pony’s latest album, Washed Away. The strength of the release lies with compelling instrumentals, creating a perfect blend between nostalgic classic rock and a more modern sound.

    The Albany-based group features Chanda Dewey on drums and vocals, Eddie Hotaling on guitar and vocals, Jeff Picarazzi on bass and vocals, and Greg Pittz on lead guitar and vocals.

    The album offers a perfect pop-rock sound for a hot summer day, the sound reminiscent of some signature classic rock influences. This is first established with the album’s catchy opening song, “Bottom of the Ocean.” The bright guitar creates a nostalgic, summery feel, qualities that would make the song perfect to listen to on the beach. The song blends the vocals of the entire group for an upbeat tune about change, or the lack thereof. The lyrics remind us that “at the bottom of the ocean, it’s just another day,” despite how much may change on the shore.

    baked shrimp glass pony

    Another Washed Away highlight is “Spotlights,” one of the album’s most impressive pieces. While the song’s opening is slow, it quickly becomes captivating through its transition into a funky, quick groove. The quick beat and groovy feel make the song an enjoyable listen, perfect to dance to. The powerful instrumental mix carries the music, almost as if the vocals accompany them. Similarly to “Bottom of the Ocean,” the song embodies aspects of classic rock, largely though the electric guitar. Halfway through the song, an epic guitar solo takes over, almost as if it is telling story. Listening to the song was a memorable experience, akin to its lyrics about having a new experience.

    One of Washed Away‘s most unique pieces was undoubtedly “Doppler.” The song opens with a bass solo, establishing a chill tone, but takes on different moods and tones throughout the song. A powerful instrumental intro takes on an alternative rock feel, whereas later sections of the song incorporate dreamy synth combined with sounds of nature, such as bird calls. Through a slow crescendo into a guitar solo, the instrumental-heavy song is dreamy, interesting, and powerful.

    Glass Pony further showcased their compositional skill through quick instrumental pieces like “Sonder,” a song without lyrics, but not lacking in any way – the instruments tell their own story. A quick, shredding electric guitar builds into a catchy tune, ultimately building to a chaotic, fascinating blend of instrumentals.

    The album’s final track, “Upside Down,” offers another chill, summery rock anthem to add to any beach playlist. The music manages to emphasize lyrical phrases, matching the beat and rhythm of the group’s words. The bright, pop rock sound is comparable to the album’s opening track, bringing a sense of coherency to the album. Through a similar intro and outro, it feels like the listener is taken through a musical journey, returning to where they began.

    Following its official release, find Washed Away from Glass Pony on Spotify. Watch the lyric video to “Bottom of the Ocean” below.

  • Live At The Gantries Lineup Announced

    Presented by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Live at the Gantries brings free music to the banks of the East River. The concert series runs every Tuesday from July 11 through August 15. Performances are set to take place at Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens. 

    Each concert is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM. The series looks to support and foster some of the most talented local artists and bands in NYC. This year’s lineup features music from several different genres, including R&B, Afrobeat, Soul, Dance, and Jazz.

    The beauty of Live at the Gantries is that it brings together the vibrant Queens community and showcases the incredible musical talent. It’s a celebration of diversity, culture, and the power of music to bring people together

    Jon Yanofsky, Director of Kupferberg Center for the Arts

    Gantry Plaza State Park sits on 12 acres of land and gives attendees a pristine view of the Manhattan skyline. The park provides the perfect venue to enjoy the sounds of live music as the sun sets over the Big Apple. 

    Live at the Gantries Lineup

    TUE, JUL 11, 7 PM: AJOYO

    AJOYO is a groovy mixture of jazz, electronic, and pop all grounded in strong West African rhythms. Spearheaded by Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Yacine Boulares, and Jesse Fischer, their unique sound is perfect for summer. 

    TUE, JUL 18, 7 PM: Bartlett Contemporaries

    Bartlett Contemporaries with the Uptown Funk Sound is a dynamic band influenced by the diverse sounds of Queens, NY. Their music often lies somewhere in the realm of hip-hop. Blending bebop, hip hop, dance and more to create a sound that is both timeless and fresh. 

    TUE, JUL 25, 7 PM: Afro Dominicano

    Afro Dominicano infuses their songs with a captivating Afro-Caribbean soul. Incorporating Dominican styles with African elements, Afro Domincano produces music that encapsulates both the diversity and collectivity of NYC.

    TUE, AUG 1, 7 PM: Linda EPO’s Ensemble New Yorkino

    Growing up in Queens, New York City and Puebla City, Mexico Linda EPO’s voice has been greatly shaped by her cultural surroundings. As part of her career, Linda has been on a worldwide tour with the Grammy nominated Heritage Blues Orchestra.

    TUE, AUG 8, 7 PM: Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup

    New York-based composer and bassist Michael Olatuja combines the sounds of Lagos, London, and New York City to create “cinematic Afrobeat”. One of the most innovative artists today, Olatuja has worked with the likes of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Angelique Kidjo. 

    TUE, AUG 15, 7 PM: Slavo Rican Assembly

    The Slavo Rican Assembly was founded by Jan Kus, a saxophonist and composer hailing from Slovenia and based in New York City. This seven-piece band combines Latin jazz scene with South Slavic musical heritage.

    Here for more details and information.