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Sammy Rae and The Friends to Perform in Ithaca on Headline Fall Tour.

Brooklyn-based ensemble Sammy Rae and The Friends have announced they will embark on a fall headline tour, which includes a stop in Ithaca.

On Sept. 24, the band will perform at the State Theatre of Ithaca, five days after beginning their tour on Sept. 19. After the fall headline tour ends, the band will head back to the UK, where they will have a headline show in London.

More than a band, Sammy and The Friends are a family. The diverse group of performers flourishes in any environment with a combination of all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie, palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks. Their most recent singles include the soul-infused “Closer To You,” and last summer’s jazzy retro pop single “If It All Goes South.” The latter was accompanied by a music video starring Barbara Lochiatto, who appeared in Netflix’s 2020 documentary Some Kind of Heaven as a widow looking for love. Inspired by Lochiatto’s story, Sammy reached out to her to join the music video.

Prior to the fall tour, Sammy and The Friends are scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall on March 15, for the 18th annual Music Of fundraising performance, The Music of Paul McCartney. Other musicians scheduled to perform include Nancy Wilson, Lake Street Dive, Natalie Merchant, and more. The upcoming performance marks only the beginning of a jam-packed 2023 for the band.

Summer will keep the group busy, as well. On June 15, they will make their debut appearance at Central Park Summer Stage, shortly followed by another debut at the Bonnaroo on June 18. At the Green River Festival on June 24, the band is scheduled to headline.

If you’re interested in seeing Sammy Rae and Friends perform in Ithaca, tickets go on sale starting March 10.

Sammy Rae & The Friends Confirmed Tour Dates

Wed, Mar 15 New York, NY @ Carnegie Hall (The Music of Paul McCartney)
Thur, June 15    New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage
Sat, Jun 24        Franklin County Fairgrounds (Northampton, MA) @ Green River Festival
Sun, Jun 18       Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Tue, Sept 19     South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Wed, Sept 20    Portland, ME @ State Theatre
Thur, Sept 21    Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
Sun, Sept 24     Ithaca, NY@ State Theatre of Ithaca
Tue, Sept 26     Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Wed, Sept 27 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
Thur, Sept 28    Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
Sat, Sept 30      Bridgeport, CT @ Sound on Sound
Sun, Oct 1         Millavale, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre
Mon, Oct 2       Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Wed, Oct 4       Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
Thur, Oct 5       St Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre
Fri, Oct 6           Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theatre
Sun, Oct 8         Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Tue, Oct 10       Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
Wed, Oct 11     Jackson, WY @ Center for the Arts
Fri, Oct 13         Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Sat, Oct 14        Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
Sun, Oct 15       Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
Tue, Oct 17       San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Wed, Oct 18     Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Thur, Oct 19      San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Sat, Oct 21        Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Thur, Nov 16     London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
Fri, Nov 17        Bristol, UK @ SWX
Sat, Nov 18       Manchester, UK @ New Century Hall
Sun, Nov 19      Glasgow, UK @ Queen Margaret Union

Watch Sammy and The Friends perform live at Brooklyn Steel.

March 10, 2023
Taylor Crawford Releases New Avant-Pop Single “Heartbreak Hotel”

Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Taylor Crawford has just released his newest avant-pop single “Heartbreak Hotel” on March 10^th. He will also be playing live again on March 28th at Arlene’s Grocery, alongside owynnmusic.

With his musical influences as infamous artists like Barry White, Dua Lipa, Remi Wolf, Madison Cunningham, Ichiko Aoba, and many more, Taylor is certainly making his way into popularity within NYC culture. Using a combination of upbeat melody and his unique vocals, Taylor came up with his newest single “Heartbreak Hotel,” a reflection of his trip to Germany where he may have caused a relationship to split unknowingly.

When asking Taylor what inspire him to write this piece, he responded with, “”Heartbreak Hotel” is actually named after a bar in Bremen, Germany literally called Heartbreak Hotel. I do not play the good guy in this story. I met a delightful lady while I was visiting my friend in Germany. One night we all went out together to this bar, one thing led to another, then she and I spent the evening together. This would have been a happy ending, however, she had a partner at the time. I hurt not only this partner of hers whom I never met, and worst of all, I ruined their relationship. The song is my reflection on the pain that I caused to these people.”

Speaking about his profound influence on his own musical journey, Taylor stated, “I initially played trombone and bassoon when I was in 4th Grade. So I was about 10 years old. Then when I got to high school, I honestly did not know who I needed to talk to so I could continue playing in the band. So I stopped with the big band instruments. I started teaching myself guitar when I was around 13 years old. I remember sitting in my brother’s bedroom where we had the family computer. I would look up Coheed and Cambria songs on “Ultimate-guitar.com” and learn the tabs to songs like “Welcome Home,” and “The Suffering.” These were the first songs I was learning and their prog-rock. It’s hilarious to think about considering the music I make now. My brother was getting guitar lessons at the time and I think my mom just did not want to pay for a whole other lesson, which makes sense because they were expensive, but I taught myself everything I know because of that.”

Then I basically wanted to become the next John Mayer. I learned ALL of his songs. And they were the only things I could play for about 4 years. I pigeon-holed myself until I got to college where my roommate taught me the pentatonic scale and it completely changed my perspective on music as a whole. Since then, my understanding and love for music has been nothing but exponential.
– Taylor Crawford

Taylor Crawford is an incredible musician, artist, and person, he deserves the hype that he gets from his music. His use of vocals is dreamy, making his overall sound so unique and invigorating. Lastly, when asked about the best performance of his career, Taylor says, “I hope the best has yet to come. But, for now I would say the Sofar Sounds show I did in Madrid, Spain this past December. It was just an acoustic show but the reaction I got from the audience was surreal. I’ve never made people cry before and to have that happen means I really touched them emotionally – which is what I aim to do as an artist. I connected with people, and they connected with me. To me, that means I gave a good performance. I hope to continue to do the same as the shows keep coming.”

Listen to “Heartbreak Hotel” by Taylor Crawford by clicking the link here.

To listen to more by Taylor Crawford, click the link here.

March 10, 2023
Empire State Youth Orchestra Names Two Winners Of Lois Lyman Concerto Competition

Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) has named two winners plus a runner-up in its annual Lois Lyman Concerto Competition, who will be performing with the orchestra on April 2 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

The Lois Lyman Concerto Competition has been an ESYO tradition for decades, and encourages ESYO Symphony Orchestra members to perform a concerto of their choice. Each participant performs a ten-minute slice of their piece from memory in front of a panel of judges.

Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) challenges and inspires young people to achieve excellence through music in a progressive learning environment leading to high-level performance opportunities. More than 500 youth from New York’s Capital Region and western New England are selected by audition each year to perform in ESYO. With 13 performing ensembles and orchestras suiting a range of playing levels, members receive training from outstanding conductors and coaches, and tutelage from extraordinary guest artists.

The winners are Yu-Heng Wang, who performed the Bartok Viola Concerto, and William Lauricella, who performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The runner-up was Liam Sullivan, who performed Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1. Yu-Heng and William now have the honor of performing their concertos with the full ESYO Symphony Orchestra during the ensemble’s concerts in April and October, respectively.

Yu-Heng has been playing viola since he was in fourth grade and has been an ESYO member since seventh grade. “Ever since eighth grade, I told myself that I would win the Lois Lyman Concerto Competition. I was determined to one day play in front of an orchestra”.

“What was most difficult for me was the fact that I had to balance my auditions for various music schools, as well as auditions for various summer programs along with the concerto competition. As deadlines inch closer, I become more and more stressed about whether or not I am going to have it ready by the date of the competition. But thanks to my less busy schedule at school combined with help from my teacher, I was able to greatly increase my efficiency in learning and preparing the concerto. Luckily, I had already been playing the first movement of the concerto for around a year now, which helped a lot, as it is the most difficult portion of the piece. I learned that once you’ve gotten the notes of a piece down in the memory, all you have to do is relax and let the bow and fingers do the work, and everything will turn out fine.”

Yu-Heng will perform Bartok’s Viola Concerto in full on April 2, 2023 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall along with the rest of the ESYO Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will also perform Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Li Huanzhi’s Spring Festival Orchestra, as well as a movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, which will serve as a preview of the orchestra’s season-closing concert at Carnegie Hall on June 4.

Tickets to the Empire State Youth Orchestra concerto competition will take place on April 2 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

March 10, 2023
Mexican Music Icon Alejandro Fernández Bringing ‘Amor y Patria’ Tour to Hulu Theater at MSG

Alejandro Fernández, Mexican music icon announced his ‘Amor y Patria’ 2023 US tour. Fernández will be making a stop in Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

‘Amor y Patria’ encompasses the celebration of Fernández’s love of music, family, and his native Mexico. Alex Fernández, son of Alejandro Fernández will perform alongside his father for most shows throughout the tour.

“I’m excited to return to the US to celebrate Latino culture through my music. I’ve put together a totally new show. I can’t wait to see my fans and sing all our favorite songs together. Y que viva Mexico!”
-Alejandro Fernández

Alejandro Fernández embarked 2023 with the release of “Inexperto En Olvidarte”. The single is from the first single from his upcoming album that fans have been impatient waiting on. “Inexperto En Olvidarte” was an instant hit because of its heart-wrenching lyrics. The single reached #1 on Monitor Latino in México and Colombia and currently climbing US Radio charts.

Fernández is loved by the masses because his records speak of hard emotional truths. Throughout his career Fernández surprised his fanbase with his musical versatility in different genres. He is a two-time Grammy winner with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2020, Fernández launched “Vota Por Nosotros” (Vote For Us). It was a campaign that encouraged Latino voters to vote on behalf of our entire community in the November 3rd elections. After winning a Grammy Fernández dedicated the award to the victims of the recent hurricanes in southern Mexico. He donated MXN $1,000,000.00 to the Mexican Red Cross to aid with the relieving of survivors. He’s also joined Mana’s Fher Olvera as the face of the “We Are Home” campaign calling for a just immigration policy that would improve the lives of millions of Latino immigrants living in the US.

The tour kicks off on Friday, September 8 in Sacramento, California. Tickets are available here.

AMOR Y PATRIA TOUR DATES:

Fri Sep 08 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center*

Sat Sep 09 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center*

Sun Sep 10 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center*

Fri Sep 15 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena*

Sat Sep 16 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena*

Sun Sep 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre*

Fri Sep 22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum

Sat Sep 23 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena*

Sun Sep 24 – Highland, CA – Yaamava Casino

Fri Sep 29 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center

Sat Sep 30 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center

Sun Oct 01 – Edinburg, TX – Bert Ogden Arena

Thu Oct 05 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*

Fri Oct 06 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

Sun Oct 08 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena

Wed Oct 11 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall

Fri Oct 13 – Washington, DC – The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Sat Oct 14 – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden

Thu Oct 19 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy

Sat Oct 21 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena*

Sun Oct 22 – Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Arena*

*with Alex Fernández

March 10, 2023
Great South Bay Music Festival 2023 Announces 15th Anniversary Lineup

The Great South Bay 2023 Music Festival presented by Island Federal Bank announced its back for its 15th anniversary, taking place at Shorefront Park in Patchogue Village, from Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23.

Photo credit Filip Zalewski for NYS Music.

The Great South Bay 2023 Music Festival features over 60 performers on four stages, in classic and contemporary rock, jam, blues, jazz, Americana, ska, reggae, alternative, and funk genres. The festival is known for its eclectic lineup of headliners with four very different days of music.

Kicking off the festival Thursday, July 20, with ten performers on two stages, is the legendary Hot Tuna, returning for their fourth visit to Headline the Main Stage. Classic rock act Dave Mason supports, and Barnburners The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson round out the lineup and local guitar legend Kerry Kearney and the Kings of the Psychedelta make an appearance.

Friday brings the annual rock-reggae-ska party, with 15 performers across three stages. Huntington Beach California rock-reggae veterans Dirty Heads return with support from LA ska-punk band Goldfinger, plus Sublime Tribute: Badfish, Maryland rockers Ballyhoo and emerging LI hometown reggae-
rockers Oogee Wawa.

The annual Jam-Saturday features 18 performers across four stages. Phil Lesh & Friends, featuring the legendary bassist and original founding member of the Grateful Dead, takes the main stage. Supporting acts include jazz-funksters The Eric Krasno Trio, Neighbor, and local singer-songwriter musician Cassandra House.

Great South Bay 2023 will close out Sunday with guitar legend, Warren Haynes & Govt. Mule, performing “Dark Side of the Mule”, a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic album The Dark Side of The Moon, complete a laser light show and over-the-top effects. Immediately supporting is Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, plus Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel. Returning to the Main Stage is Long Island-born and bred guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer who performed at Great South Bay on the “emerging artist stage” when he was just 12 years old and has since shared the stage with Gregg
Allman, Gary Clarke Jr., Lady Gaga, and many more.

Supporting and presenting original emerging artists has always been part of our mission at GSB. For 2023 the festival will present over 30 talented original artists that we are excited to give stage time and lay on our music loving attendees. New talented original artists to keep on your radar this year include: Cassandra House (performing on our Main Stage and opening for Phil Lesh), Jules, Jack & Friends, Dudley Music, Robinson Treacher, MJT, Circus Mind, Miles to Dayton, Foster Europe Band, Baked Shrimp, and more.

Great South Bay supports the Long Island community and will continue to donate $1 from every ticket sold, to the GSB-Stony Brook Cancer Center Fund. To date, the fest has raised well over $250,000 for the cancer center. Additionally, Great South Bay Presenting Sponsor Island Federal Bank will also give $1- $2 worth of food donations for every ticket that’s sold to LI Cares, the Harry Chapin Food bank. The festival will also again donate booth spaces in our “Storyville Tent” to local organizations looking to raise awareness and funds for their cause.

The mission of the Great South Bay Festival is to always support emerging local artists, and are proud present over 30 talented original artists. Some of these not mentioned previously include Jules, Jack & Friends, Dudley Music, Robinson Treacher, MJT, Circus Mind, Miles to Dayton, Foster Europe Band, Baked Shrimp, and more.

Tickets are available to purchase now. Children under 10 are free.

Festival Times:
Thursday, July 20: Doors are at 3:00 p.m., fest goes till 10 p.m.
Friday, July 21: Doors are at 3:00 p.m., music till 11 p.m.,
Saturday, July 22.: Doors are at 1:00 p.m., music till 11 p.m.,
Sunday, July 23: Doors are at 2:00 p.m. with performances till 10 p.m.

March 9, 2023
Nas Takes Over MSG For One Night Only Concert

On February 24, Nas took the stage at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for his highly-anticipated One Night Only: King’s Disease Trilogy concert. This was the first time the Queensbridge native played The Garden. The concert included songs from all three of his King’s Disease albums, along with some of his biggest hits from over the years.

The first half of the performance kicked off with Nas performing tracks from King’s Disease I, II and III, including “Blue Benz” and “27 Summers,” both of which were met with a thunderous applause from the crowd. Other songs he performed from the trilogy albums included “I’m on Fire,” “Spicy” and “Reminisce.”

After delivering an energetic first half of the concert, Nas took a brief intermission before returning to the stage for the second half of the show. This time around, he performed some of his most iconic hits, including “If I Ruled the World,” “Hate Me Now,” and “NY State of Mind.”

Nas’s first Madison Square Garden show was truly a star-studded affair, thanks to his impressive lineup of special guests. Hit boy, the celebrated producer and rapper, joined Nas on stage for “Michael & Quincy.” The legendary Mary J. Blige also made an appearance, bringing her soulful voice and electrifying presence to the stage for “You Remind Me.” Meanwhile, AZ, one of Nas’s longtime collaborators, wowed the audience with his impeccable flow on “Life’s a Bitch.” And last but not least, Slick Rick, the iconic rapper and storyteller, joined Nas for a performance of “Hey Young World.” Together, these special guests helped make the show an unforgettable experience that will be remembered for years to come.

Nas – MSG – February 24, 2023

Setlist: King’s Disease, Blue Benz, Car #85, 27 Summers, Ultra Black, Spicy, YKTV, The Definition, Get Light, Death Row East, The Pressure, I’m On Fire, 40 Side, Store Run, Rare, Speechless, Wave Gods, Thun, Michael & Quincy (Feat Hit Boy), Reminisce, Your Remind Me (Feat Mary J. Blige), 30, Legit, NY State of Mind, Life’s A Bitch (Feat AZ), It Ain’t Hard To Tell, Hey Young World (Feat Slick Rick), The World Is Yours, The Message, Street Dreams, Represent, Hate Me Now, Made You Look, One Mic, Hot Boyz, Oochie Wally, You Owe Me, Memory Lane, Get Down, If I Ruled The World

March 9, 2023
SPAC Announces Inaugural Summer Kickoff Fundraiser “Summer SPACtacular”

Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced its new inaugural fundraiser to kick-off the summer season, “Summer SPACtacular.”

Featuring an expansive celebration across the SPAC grounds “Summer SPACtacular” will include live music, a multi-course “Summerscape Supper,” culinary tastings, cocktails, a whiskey and cigar lounge, fireworks and a dance party on SPAC’s historic stage. Slated for Friday, June 2 from 5:00-11:00 p.m., the event will benefit SPAC’s mission, residencies, and youth education initiatives.

“Our new Summer SPACtacular is both a summer season kick-off and a celebration of SPAC’s expanded mission and its new campus – from cocktails and a dance party on our historic stage, to exquisite tastings with live music throughout the grounds, and a cigar and whiskey lounge in our Pavilion,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO. “We are grateful to the SPAC Action Council and Friends of SPAC for their incredible efforts to make this event a reality – all in support of our resident companies and educational programming.”

Featuring two different ticketing options including a “Party Pass” and an “All-Access Pass,” attendees will have the opportunity to experience SPAC like never before with tastings, libations and entertainment throughout the SPAC campus. Guests who purchase a “Party Pass” will enjoy live music by Saratoga Springs native Jes Hudak, tastings from local eateries, distilleries and breweries, and a whiskey and cigar lounge – all culminating with a dazzling fireworks display and a DJ dance party on the stage.

In addition to the “Party Pass” offerings, the “All-Access Pass” also includes a reception with craft cocktails and live jazz on the amphitheater stage, followed by an intimate “Summerscape Supper” featuring three courses that celebrate spring’s culinary bounty with wine pairings produced by CulinaryArts@SPAC with renowned regional chefs Kim Klopstock, Michael Blake, and Kevin London. An exciting paddle raise hosted by emcee and News10ABC’s Lydia Kulbida will also highlight the supper. The “All-Access Pass” also features exclusive admission to post-dinner aperitifs and sweet treats on The Pines Terrace.

“The SPAC Action Council and Friends of SPAC are thrilled to present this inaugural event – one that screams FUN from the minute you enter the grounds. If you’ve never experienced SPAC outside of a performance, this is your chance to do so in a new, intimate way,” says Keeley DeSalvo, Saratoga Performing Arts Center Action Council President.

Ashley Budd, Friends of SPAC President adds, “You won’t want to miss this supercharged evening of food, drink, dancing and more as we celebrate the coming season and raise funds in support of SPAC’s mission. We anticipate this magical night will sell out quickly, and encourage everyone to purchase their tickets early!”

The Summer SPACtacular is the largest fundraiser to support SPAC’s mission, classical residencies and youth educational programming in the community, which has gone from serving 5,000 students to more than 50,000 students.

Tickets to the SPACtacular are available online at spac.org.

March 9, 2023
Dead & Company Announce Intimate Show at Cornell’s Barton Hall on May 8

Dead & Company have announced they will be continuing the Grateful Dead’s storied legacy at Cornell University and its famed Barton Hall with an intimate show on May 8, the same date and venue as the acclaimed performance in 1977.

Later this year, Dead & Company will embark on a farewell tour, featuring Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and Bob Weir, plus John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti. It has been exactly 46 years since the Grateful Dead performed at Barton Hall, considered by many fans to be not only the best show of the Spring 1977 tour but quite possibly the best show the group ever played. “Cornell 1977 holds a special place in Grateful Dead lore. That magical night lives forever and will always link Cornell and the Grateful Dead,” said drummer Mickey Hart. Readers of the New York Times voted Barton ’77 the best Dead show of all time in an April 2009 online poll.

According to the Cornell Chronicle, the 1977 show spawned numerous bootlegs, a book, conspiracy theories, and endless debate. The band’s performance that night was 19 songs played over two sets, with some numbers sprawling past the 15-minute mark. They included songs like “Saint Stephen” and “Morning Dew” while skipping classics “Truckin’” and “Dark Star.” Some fans believed the show was a CIA mind-control experiment, and it inspired the book Cornell ’77: The Music, the Myth and the Magnificence of the Grateful Dead Show at Barton Hall. A lot of fans recorded bootlegs of the performance and in 2012 a recording of the performance was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. The original concert was later released as a three-disc CD box set and five-disc LP in May 2017.

The concert will be a fundraiser for Cornell’s 2030 Project, to develop tangible solutions to climate change, and MusiCares, a nonprofit established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to support the health and welfare of music industry professionals. A variety of Dead & Company Cornell ’23 ticket offerings, including multiple levels of VIP and General Admission tickets, are available via Ticketstoday’s lottery system. Those interested in attending the event may register before 11:59 p.m. on March 10 via this link. The event will also be available for a live pay-per-view video, a live free audio stream, and a SiriusXM broadcast via the Grateful Dead Channel.

March 9, 2023
E.R.I.E. Share Sophomore Indie-Rock EP “Suburban Mayhem”

Capital Region indie-rock quartet E.R.I.E. have just released their second EP Suburban Mayhem on March 8^th. The band previously released the single “World is On Fire” to tease the album in early February featuring local scene friend Sydney Worthley.

Suburban Mayhem arrives to the scene with grander scope and vision. The album turns its focus externally, commenting vividly on the outside forces burrowing into our brains on a daily basis. It’s a resplendent examination of the world around us, rife with equal parts cynicism, wit and hope.

The album features pitch-perfect collaborations with Brooklyn-based dream-pop trio ALMA, and fellow Albany songwriter Sydney Worthley. The record showcases a band not only finding their footing, but settling into a signature sound affectionately self-described as Tom Petty cosplaying as blink-182.

The first song on the album “Oh Well” gives listeners a peak into what Suburban Mayhem is truly about. Others songs like “Bad Mans World,” “Suburban Mayhem (Holy Fuck),” and “The Motions” truly show the dedication and ambitions that the band has. “Bad Mans World” is a favorite of mine, with its lyrics being meaningful yet a jam at the same time.

The four members of E.R.I.E. – guitarist Matt Delgado, drummer Chad Flewwelling, and bassist Levi Jennes spent most of 2022 self-recording their sophomore full-length, yielding 12 nostalgia-tinged songs. Suburban Mayhem further lends credence to the frequent comparisons to The Gaslight Anthem, Frank Turner and The Get Up Kids that the band has garnered, with its “crunching guitars, catchy choruses and a down-to-earth, working-class vibe that recalls modern heartland punk rock…” (Daily Gazette).

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Mar 18 – Albany, NY @ Lark Hall

To listen to Suburban Mayhem, click the link here.

For more on E.R.I.E., click the link here.

To read the previous NYS Music article on E.R.I.E., click the link here.

March 8, 2023
Musicians of Ma’alwyck Announce their First Live Concert Since 2020 with ‘Celestial Melodies’ in the Capital Region

The Musicians of Ma’alwyck announce their first live concert since 2020 with Celestial Melodies, celebrating the music of William & Catherine Herschel and their contemporaries, taking place March 11 and 12 in Schenectady and Albany.

The Musicians of Ma’alwyck are a flexible-size chamber ensemble in residence at the Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site and Schenectady County Community College. Founded in 1999 by violinist and director Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, the group specializes in music performed in America during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were named the best chamber music ensemble of the Capital Region for both 2008 and 2009 by Metroland and were nominated for the Eddies Music Award.

The ensemble released its first commercial CD in 2016, Music in the Schuyler Mansion, which the Times Union called “elegant and charming,” and their second in 2021, Hyde Hall & the Silver Goddess: Operatic Brilliance of Auber, Bellini, Meyerbeer, and Rossini from the Drawing Room.

The Celestial Melodies program will feature the music of composers and astronomers William and Catherine Herschel, as well as others. The concert will include not only the music of the Herschels and their contemporaries but a visual component as well, a specially developed sky show, with dazzling images and unique looks at the constellations as they appeared in Herschel’s lifetime. The program also
features the world premiere of a new work Invocation by Max Caplan, inspired by the NASA data sonification project.

William Herschel was born into a musical family, with his father being a professional oboist and himself a fine violinist, harpsichordist, and organist. He came to England in the 1750s as a member of the Hanover Band and worked as the Bath Church’s organist and director of the orchestra and concert series. He is known for his incredible astronomical discoveries, which include the discovery of infrared radiation, astronomical spectrophotometry, the planet Uranus and far-seeing telescopes. Herschel’s younger sister Caroline was also an outstanding musician and astronomer, she was the first female astronomer to receive a salary and in 1828 she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Their first performance of Celestial Melodies will take place in Schenectady on March 11 at the Museum of Innovation and Science, and tickets are $35. The second performance will be at Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site in Albany, and tickets are $40 for general admission and $10 for students. Reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

March 8, 2023