Buffalo Iron Works plans to host an exclusive 10th anniversary party to celebrate a decade of success, featuring the renowned Melvin Seals & JGB on Thursday, October 19th, promising an unforgettable night to commend this milestone of intuitive, expressive, and soulful music.
Melvin Seals has had a remarkable three-decade career as a recording artist, performer and producer and will take center stage during the Buffalo Iron Works anniversary festivities. Melvin is celebrated for his electrifying performances on the keyboard and B-3 organ while accompanying the stage with Jerry Garcia Band. Both Melvin and JGB have played pivotal roles in the jam band music scene with a mix of blues, funk, rock, jazz, gospel and R&B that captivate an audience of all tastes.Their onstage chemistry fuels a psychedelic experience for concert goers that keeps them dancing, smiling and engaged in the rhythm of rock-gospel blues fusion.
In addition to the performance with Melvin and JGB, Buffalo Iron Works 10 year anniversary party will feature drink specials, exclusive signed merchandise and more. The venue offers an intimate music lounge setting that hosts a diverse range of national, regional and local artists across various genres. Not only is it a haven for music but welcomes all types of events, from concerts, acoustic shows, and book signings, ensuring an inclusive and vibrant versatile cultural space.
Join Buffalo Iron Works on Thursday, October 19th to celebrate a decade of music, community and unforgettable moments that have made BIW a cherished part of Buffalo’s cultural landscape. For more info visit here.
Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids were among the multitude of hosts at the Americana Music Awards in Nashville on September 20th. In addition to their co-hosting duties, the duo took the stage alongside Noah Kahan for a cover of Paul Simon’s “American Tune.”
Formed in 2011, The Milk Carton Kids are an American folk duo hailing from California. Nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards, the group’s new record I Only See The Moon released this past May on LA-based ANTI- Records.
Noah Kahan, the New-England native singer-songwriter, rose to global fame with the release of his third full-length album, Stick Season. Taking the stage with The Milk Carton Kids, he and the duo offered smooth vocals against a lone acoustic guitar.
The Milk Carton Kids are set to embark on a US tour this fall, stopping at Kingston’s Broadway Theatre at UPAC, as well as New York City’s Beacon Theatre. Both New York dates will be in support of fellow folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov.
The Milk Carton Kids Upcoming Tour Dates
October 8—Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles Folk Festival
October 10—San Francisco, CA—The Independent*
October 12—Portland, OR—Aladdin Theater*
October 13—Seattle, WA—St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral*
Long Island radio personality Brian Orlando launched Rock and Soul Tarot, a podcast combining tarot card reading and rock music. Orlando uses the songs as a way to deliver messages and explain meanings of the tarot cards.
Credit: Stevie Price
The podcast looks at tarot meanings and lessons through the lens of rock music, which Orlando pulls from over 17 years of rock radio stories, memories, and knowledge.
Music was my first love and I always related everything I learned about to a song. So, I started equating tarot meanings to my favorite songs to help memorize them and as I started doing readings it seemed the best way to explain the messages from the cards was through the one language I knew fluently…. Rock and Roll
Brian Orlando
The connection between music and tarot cards is already apparent. For example, the Judgement card depicts a trumpet with seven emanations, symbolic of seven musical notes. In addition, the Hierophant card is associated with the physical and interior sense of hearing, depicting two crossed keys on the ground, suggesting tapping into hidden vibrations.
Many famous rock musicians have incorporated symbolism and iconography of tarot cards into their work, including Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Tool, and Rush.
To me it’s an honor if I help guide someone to their highest path. Rock and Soul Tarot is the guide to cards for anyone and everyone, using song lyrics, and stories about musicians and bands, to help channel the energy of each card. We look at tarot “Through the lens of Rock and Roll”
Brian Orlando
Orlando began the Rock and Soul Tarot podcast by explaining the meaning of each card outright. Next he will begin to incorporate guest readings and discussions with renowned psychics, musicians, and familiar faces from the entertainment industry.
John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton have announced a joint concert in Schenectady on Oct. 27 at the Eighth Step. The duo have been friends for decades, but began writing songs together in the past few years and have an album titled Together coming out October 13.
Credit: Michael G. Stewart
Grammy Lifetime Achievement honoree Tom Paxton has been a force in the folk music world since the 1960s, writing songs made famous by Peter, Paul, & Mary, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger, and more. John McCutcheon is part of the generation of folk musicians who grew up singing Tom Paxton songs. His own catalog spans forty-four albums, six Grammy nominations, and numerous awards and accolades.
The duo’s most recent single, “Life Before You,” debuted last month. The track is a sweet ballad, showing the compatibility of the two musician’s immense skills.
Paxton and McCutcheon’s joint music spans topics from history, baseball, cowboys, love, the remembered, and the forgotten. With McCutcheon’s crew of supporting musicians, including Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Jon Carroll (keys), JT Brown (bass), and Charlie McCoy, the album has full, lively arrangements and stunning performances.
Tickets to the Schenectady show at the Eighth Step at Proctors are available here.
Hip-Hop and rap artist Macklemore performed an unforgettable show at Pier 17 on Friday, September 22 welcoming all ages to take part in the long-awaited “Ben Tour.”
Macklemore began his music career building his fanbase on the West Coast in 2000 as an independent artist born and raised in Seattle, Washington. In the early stages of his success, he released his first album in 2005, The Language of My World which led to the collaboration with DJ/Record Producer Ryan Lewis. The duo jumpstarted Macklemore’s music success producing the Grammy Award Winning album The Heist including fan favorites, “Can’t Hold Us,” “ThriftShop,” “Same Love,” and “White Walls.”
Macklemore carved a huge name for himself in the rap community and is best known for his ability to storytell and create introspective lyrics that address social issues of consumerism, addiction, homophobia, and personal attributes that connect to his life growing up in Seattle.
DJ Nick Beeba opened the show by stating, “I grew up in Seattle going to Macklemore’s shows in middle school, to just be here as an opener is truly amazing.” Beeba played remixes including hit songs “Wanna Be a Baller,” “No Scrubs,” “Pony,” and plenty of others to get the crowd dancing and cheering awaiting Macklemore’s appearance.
The show itself was not only a concert to remember but a full-blown production with on-stage dancers, a full band crew including trombone, trumpet, drums, guitar, and keyboard plus several impressive outfit changes. With blue bedazzled capes, headbands, and sparkly vests, Macklemore does it all. During the show, Macklemore made time in between songs to thank the people for coming authentically as themselves to come have fun and spread love. “We’re here to dance, so let’s dance New York!” he stated.
To close the show, Macklemore gave a huge thanks to his band members for all the hard work that has paid off over the years. This encourages fans to come to their shows and experience something more than just a concert but a place to allow fans to be authentic, dance, and have a good time. The final song “Can’t Hold Us” encouraged the crowd to jump, dance, and shout, “We put our hands up, like the ceiling can’t hold us,” leaving the concertgoers in awe and ecstatic to see when Macklemore would visit New York next.
Bobby Darin, a multi-genre star and activist known for his talents in the ’60s and ’70s, has announced his first ever digital release of two landmark ’60s albums, including Born Walden Robert Cassotto and Commitment.
Born as Walden Robert Cassotto in East Harlem, Darin was raised by his grandmother Polly and fell in love with music in his teens. He could play piano, drums, and guitar, and later added harmonica and xylophone to his repertoire. He later moved to the Bronx, where he graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. Later, he went to Hunter College but quickly dropped out after two semesters to pursue an acting career. He coined his stage name from the actor Darren McGavin later in his career, but his legal name remains Cassotto.
Bobby Darin was, by any definition, a superstar – a chart-topping, multimillion-selling, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, a Golden Globe-winning actor, visionary entrepreneur, and committed political activist. By 1966 the 30-year-old was already more than a decade into his one-of-a-kind career, his diverse body of work characterized by frequent changes in musical direction, spanning pop and cabaret to show tunes and contemporary folk.
Restless and daring, Darin refused to be constrained by genre, instead placing his signature vocal style upon rock ‘n’ roll, pop, country and western, folk, big band, and jazz. The result was a seemingly endless string of top 10 hits, including “Splish Splash,” “Queen of the Hop,” “Dream Lover,” “Beyond the Sea,” and “If I Were a Carpenter,” the latter found on 1966’s If I Was A Carpenter (recently re-released by Direction Records and available everywhere now).
While he appeared to be “living the life,” the shifting cultural winds and strains of celebrity life affected his professional and personal successes, from his 1967 divorce from Sandra Dee and the traumatic uncovering of family revelations, on top of a heart condition sustained following childhood bouts with rheumatic fever.
“In terms of his career, the constant hits and the glory of his early days were long gone by this point,” says Dodd Darin, the only son of Bobby Darin and Hollywood sweetheart Sandra Dee. “Gone also was his relentless need to be at the top of the entertainment industry. The brashness and bravado that was so evident in his youth had been mellowed. The changing music scene and his perceived lesser place, combined with a serious medical condition, will humble a man.”
While his public persona was all bright lights and glamour, Darin was, like so many of his era, driven and inspired by the generational shifts and social upheaval of the 1960s. Despite his weakened health, Darin devoted nearly all his free time towards multiple causes: such as tirelessly campaigning for his friend Robert F. Kennedy until his assassination in June 1968. Shattered by Kennedy’s death and disheartened with the changing world around him, Darin withdrew from the spotlight and embarked on an unlikely personal journey to convey his truest self. He swapped his crooner’s tuxedo for folk singer denim, his toupee for an outlaw mustache, and a Beverly Hills mansion for a secluded trailer at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur.
More importantly, Darin was determined to express himself through his own songwriting, penning two albums worth of original songs that in many ways pre-date the singer-songwriter movement that would bloom in the early 1970s. Though the voice heard on 1968’s Born Walden Robert Cassotto was familiar, the songs were something very different than Darin’s previous fare. Gone was the big band pop of his biggest hits, the brass, and glamour in favor of arrangements inspired by contemporary folk rock, country, and soul.
Lyrically, Born Walden Robert Cassotto began to explore a range of issues – the environment, loss of faith, capitalism, and police brutality. “Long Line Rider,” tells the timely tale of three skeletons found on an Arkansas prison farm, while “Change” sees Darin explicitly examining his own seismic personal and creative shifts, singing, “Get yourself up off your past, friend//There’s so much to rearrange//Tomorrow sits right next to never//Damned if what your feelin’ isn’t change.”
Fearless, compelling, and undoubtedly cathartic, Born Walden Robert Cassotto set the stage for an even braver work. Released under the name “Bob Darin”, Commitment is even grittier than its predecessor. From the counterculture anthem “Me and My Hohner” and the soul-searching “Sausalito” to the wryly autobiographical “Distractions (Part 1)” the album’s studio experimentation and songcraft affirms Darin’s generational talent of uniquely c crossing the borders of age and politics.
The evolution from Bobby Darin to Bob Darin was not without its headwinds, however. The music critics, fans, and industry folks didn’t know what to make of the albums as they were such a large departure from the Darin they knew. They did not really chart or achieve commercial success. His longtime friend Dick Clark told him he was ‘a latter-day hippie and to put his tuxedo back on.’ The Landmark was paying him $40,000 a week and people were walking out because he refused to do the old hits. He told them, ‘That was yesterday and the door is right over there.’ Elvis was a genuine friend and came to see his show and told him, ‘Bobby, do the hits.’ I believe he was brave and acted on his conscience by doing the material he was doing. If his career took a hit – and it did – so be it; at least he could sleep at night.
Dodd Darin
Sadly, in December 1973, Bobby Darin fell ill and died in a Los Angeles hospital at just 37 years old following emergency open heart surgery. Darin’s remarkable legacy has only grown in the years that followed, with honors including induction in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an award-winning stage musical, a Golden Globe-nominated film biography, and multiple top-selling career anthologies. Though at the time the Direction albums seemed a risky left turn for a star near the top of his game, time has shown both Born Walden Robert Cassotto and Commitment to be milestone works of the folk-rock renaissance, and in character for an artist whose forward-thinking, boundary-free approach in many ways predated the creative freedom today.
In commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of his tragic 1973 passing, the Bobby Darin Estate recently relaunched Direction Records: the groundbreaking label founded by Darin in 1968. Distributed by Secretly Distribution, the Direction Records collection kicked off with the release of five classic albums recorded between 1966 and 1967 and newly reverted to the Bobby Darin Estate, all available on digital platforms for the first time ever. The new releases include: Bobby Darin Sings The Shadow Of Your Smile (1966), In A Broadway Bag (1966), If I Were A Carpenter (1966), Inside Out (1967), and Bobby Darin Sings Doctor Dolittle (1967). A special trailer heralding the return of Direction Records is streaming now on the official Bobby Darin YouTube channel.
Now, with the relaunch of Direction Records and future archival releases to come, Bobby Darin’s groundbreaking life and career can remain timeless, and reach audiences like never before.
This year, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) has every reason to celebrate as they mark the 25th anniversary of JoAnn Falletta’s tenure as Music Director. Taking on this pivotal role in 1999, Falletta achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to lead a major American orchestra, a momentous step forward in the world of classical music.
As the BPO embarks on this anniversary season, it promises a lineup of symphonic works, guest performers, and special events that pay tribute to Falletta’s dedication and passion for music. The celebration begins with a spectacular performance this Saturday, featuring the renowned violinist Gil Shaham in Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” It’s a fitting start to a season that promises musical excellence.
Over the past 25 years, JoAnn Falletta has become a cultural pillar of Western New York. Her contributions have been pivotal in elevating the BPO to its current stature. Let’s delve into her journey with the BPO and the impact she’s had on the orchestra and the community:
Collaborative Leadership: Falletta’s collaborative leadership style has been instrumental in fostering strong partnerships. Her work with the Naxos record label has transformed the BPO into a leading recording orchestra, with numerous albums recorded for international distribution.
Beau Fleuve Records: In 1999, she co-founded Beau Fleuve Records with the orchestra, resulting in the production of 30 albums. Many of these recordings are now available on digital streaming platforms worldwide.
Championing New Works: Falletta’s commitment to promoting new works is evident in the premieres of 22 new orchestral compositions with the BPO, including world premieres.
Commissioned Works: She has commissioned eight major new works for the orchestra by esteemed composers. These works have not only enriched the BPO’s repertoire but also showcased BPO musicians as soloists.
Global Talent: Under her guidance, the BPO has had the privilege of hosting some of the world’s most celebrated solo musicians, fostering connections between international talent and the local community.
International Tours: Falletta led the orchestra on its first international tour in three decades, bringing Buffalo’s artistry to audiences around the world. Additionally, the BPO has embarked on several successful tours of Florida and performed at Carnegie Hall.
Community Engagement: Falletta’s commitment to community engagement is reflected in her collaborations with regional arts and community organizations. She has used music as a medium to address social issues and promote unity following tragic events in Buffalo.
Educational Initiatives: Falletta has worked closely with academic institutions, including SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music, the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Canisius University, and the Mannes School of Music.
Advocacy for Diversity: She has been a passionate advocate for underrepresented conductors, composers, and musicians in Buffalo and beyond.
The celebration of JoAnn Falletta’s remarkable career begins this Saturday with the BPO’s Opening Night program, featuring Gil Shaham. For more details and to secure your tickets, please visit bpo.org/opening-night. Additionally, information about pre and post-concert Gala festivities can be found at bpo.org/gala.
JoAnn Falletta’s 25-year journey with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is a testament to her unwavering dedication and her enduring impact on the world of classical music. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to musicians, conductors, and classical music enthusiasts worldwide.
Explore the rich history of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, its distinguished conductors and musicians, and its commitment to IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) by visiting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s official website.
This week, JoAnn Falletta joined Jacquie Walker on WIVB News 4 to share her thoughts on her anniversary and the upcoming season
The seventh annual Folkfaces Fest is set to take place in Darien Center at Cherry Hill Campground from September 28 through October 1. This year’s theme is Above Hell/Below Heaven, and guests are encouraged to dress accordingly as Angels and Demons, Good and Evil, or Light and Dark.
The festival is an intimate but growing grassroots music festival, led by Tyler Westcott and his band Folkfaces. The celebrations will include workshops, vendors, a kids tent, a film screening, yoga, art installations, a costume contest, raffles, a paint wall, tether ball, volleyball, horseshoes, and more.
Live performances will feature Buffalo Bluegrass Allstars, Matt Rivers, Rushadicus, Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, Kathryn Koch Band, and more.
Folk festivals have been around as long as people have, and I think that getting out and seeing how different people are writing and performing original and traditional music helps inspire and add to the great tapestry of songs we have in the is world.
Tyler Westcott, in an interview with Jeff Miers
Weekend and individual day pass tickets are on sale now here, and will be available by cash only at the gate. All tickets are non-refundable. Kids 12 and under are free.
Folkfaces Fest 7 will be held at Cherry Hill Campground in Darien Center. The event is BYOB and will take place rain or shine. Cash is encouraged.
Camping passes are sold separately. If you have your weekend pass & haven’t already booked your camping spot please do so by visiting www.cherryhillcamp.com or calling Cherry Hill Campground at (585)813-5099
After his successful, sold-out 2022 and 2023 Stick Season Tour runs, Noah Kahan has announced his 2024 We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour North America dates. The 32-date leg kicks off in Vancouver, BC, and stops at Madison Square Garden in July.
Noah Kahan creates impactful music through vulnerable lyrics and an unfiltered yet reliable honesty, with songs straight from the heart– lightened by his self-deprecating sense of humor. Across his three albums and an EP, Kahan has generated global renown for his singular mix of Folk and Americana, landing more than two billion streams.
In July, Kahan teamed up with GRAMMY Award-nominated global superstar Post Malone for a new version of his latest single, “Dial Drunk,” which peaked at #1 on both the Alternative and AAA Radio Charts, and is featured on his new album Stick Season (We’ll Be Here Forever). Stick Season was just recently Certified Gold, and the breakout title track was Certified Platinum. It debuted at #3 on Billboard 200 Chart, and at #1 on Billboard Top Alternative Albumbs Chart, Top Americans/Folk Albums Chart, as well as Top Rock Albums Chart, and more. Especially impressive, Noah became the 5th artist in history with 18 songs on Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Charts in one week, alongside David Bowie and Taylor Swift.
Additionally, just last week Noah was featured on the cover of Pollstar’s September issue and spoke about his incredible rise in fame over this past year. He was also named on the 2023 TIME100 Next list.
Kahan has been on his sold-out Stick Season Tour across North America since the album’s release last year, selling half-a-million tickets to date and performing with large crowds ahead of him, and larger ones to come.
WE’LL ALL BE HERE FOREVER TOUR 2024 NORTH AMERICA DATES:
Tue Mar 26 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Thu Mar 28 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
Fri Mar 29 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
Sat Mar 30 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre
Tue Apr 02 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Centre
Sat Apr 06 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Sun Apr 07 London, ON Budweiser Gardens
Tue Apr 09 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
Wed Apr 10 Quebec City, QC Videotron Centre
Sat Apr 13 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Wed May 22 Asheville, NC ExploreAsheville.com Arena
Sat May 25 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Tue May 28 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
Wed May 29 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Tue Jun 04 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Wed Jun 05 Kansas City, MO Azura Amphitheatre
Fri Jun 07 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Tue Jun 11 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
Wed Jun 13 Houston, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Fri Jun 14 Austin, TX Moody Center
Tue Jun 18 Chula Vista, CA North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Fri Jun 21 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Tue Jun 25 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Sat Jun 29 George, WA The Gorge
Mon Jul 01 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Wed Jul 03 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
Fri Jul 05 Berkeley, CA The Greek Theatre
Sat Jul 06 Berkeley, CA The Greek Theatre
Tue Jul 09 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Sat Jul 13 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Tue Jul 15 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Tue Jul 16 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Fri Jul 19 Boston, MA Fenway Park ^
^ With Mt. Joy
Because of his success, he’s asking fans planning to attend his North America tour dates to register ahead of tickets going on sale to help block bots, reduce resale, and get more tickets directly into the hands of fans who want to attend the show.
Fans can sign up now until Sunday, September 24 at 10PM PT for the Advance Registration Presale in North America. Once registration closes, fans will be randomly selected to receive a code that grants them access to the Registration Presale on Wednesday, September 27. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale.
General onsale starts Friday, September 29 at 10am at ticketmaster.com while supplies last.
For more information about Noah Kahan, as well as his other global tour dates, visit his website, Instagram, or Facebook. For tickets presale, click this link. For tickets general onsale, click this link.
Gone Stereo, the Long Island native pop-punk band has released their brand new single, “I’m So Sick,” promoting their upcoming sophomore album.
The new track, “I’m So Sick,” builds on the classic, early-2000s pop punk anthem. The song rides the band’s energy and hook-driven catchiness from previous tracks, and features artwork by punk rock legend Mark DeSalvo.
The group is signed to Negative Progression Records, a punk, emo, and indie label established in 1996. Gone Stereo worked on “I’m So Sick” alongside John Naclerio (Knuckle Puck, Real Friends, Bayside) and Chris Badami (The Starting Line, The Early November).
Videos for both “I’m So Sick” and the group’s new B-Side track “Cool Kids” are set to debut on BlankTV, where the band’s previous videos have garnered over 5,000 plays. Tune into SiriusXM’s Faction Punk to hear “I’m So Sick” and more from the group’s sophomore album debuting this fall.
“Cool Kids” is about coping with cliques, feeling left out, and how unpleasant it feels. You think that you want to be a part of it, but you refuse to be pressured to conform to their standards. In the end, those cliques will all fade away.
