Tag: Rochester

Mikeala Davis Closes out ‘Dead of Winter’ Residency at Tubby’s and Abilene on February 1& 2

On the brink of a new album, Rochester native, Mikeala Davis and her band, Southern Star, will complete their residency as one of the hottest live music acts in upstate New York. The Catskil transplant returned home for a set of performances at Abilene in Rochester and Tubby’s in Kingston.

The “Dead of Winter” residency began during a notoriously quiet period live music-wise. A run of sold-out performances have re-affirmed belief that fresh sets, familiar places and homegrown talent would bring people out to enjoy live music.

Mikeala Davis and Southern Star complete their residency at Tubby’s and Abilene.

Mickeala Davis and Southern Star on the Rise

In effect, “Dead of Winter” began with a performance at Tubby’s on Wednesday, January 18, with Davis and Southern Star performing weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Tubby’s and Abilene. However, the final two nights of Southern Star’s residency will be on February 1 and 2. To boot, the band will perform two sets nightly, starting with their own tunes and a later Grateful Dead themed set. As a result, the Dead set themes have been varying by week; Mik’s Picks Vol. 1: ‘67-‘72 for week 1, Garcia in its entirety for week 2, and Mik’s Picks Vol. 2: ‘73-‘87 for the upcoming February shows. While, the Abilene show is sold-out but tickets for Mikeala Davis at Tubby’s on Wednesday night can be found here.

Mikeala Davis and Southern Star have seen all of their Kingston shows sold out.

We’re planning two sets every night. First set is original songs and second is a dead set. This is a chance for us to revisit some old songs and experiment with new ones while continuing to explore the music of the Grateful Dead. Hope to see you there!
– Mikaela Davis

A classically trained harpist, Mikeala Davis’ style brings together elements of classic rock, ’60s and ’70s pop, roots Americana, and contemporary modern singer-songwriter croons. Davis and Southern Star have shared bills with such names as Bob Weir, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive. Moreover, Davis joined Phil Lesh & Friends during the first weekend of their Phil-o-Ween residency at The Capitol Theatre. Her newest release is 2022’s The Relix Sessions, which focuses on live versions of tracks from 2018’s Delivery. At the present time, the group is planning a new studio album that will mark the first official studio recordings by Davis and Southern Star.

January 28, 2023
Conomor Duo Releases First EP: “One Step (At A Time)”

Rochester’s Conomor duo has just released their first ever EP One Step (At A Time) on January 6^th. The album is heavily influenced by sounds like Daft Punk, Outkast, Damon Albarn, Kendrick Lamar, and many others.

Overall, the songs on the album are solid, have defined identity, and are led by a creative and unique perspective that the duo provides. Songs like “One Step (At A Time)” sound so familiar to Gorillaz/Damon Albarn’s vocals.

Conomor is a duo based in USA and France, made up of Kevin (Vocals/music) and Paul (Music). While going to the same high school, they in the neighborhood hip-hop studio named TCA. Through producing beats and creating their first band Drozophyl, the duo forged a friendship as well as an artistic collaboration that still lasts today.

https://soundcloud.com/conomor/sets/conomor-one-step-at-a-time/s-rbB14nHsMC4?si=79f237d1f99e442cb18589060139448d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Conomor is a boundless project made by both Kevin and Paul, venturing between electronic music, trip hop, pop with hints of hip-hop and rock. Both have collaborated on different projects in the past, and have been active in multiple musical experiences in both countries.

“I had thought of a wrecked life

Rifles screaming into darkness

A bunch of dope and a blunt knife

It’s as weak as I am

I could go lifeless”

As life separates the duo geographically, Paul works on many different projects, and so does Kévin after having moved to Rochester.

The duo stated, “With this first EP, we demonstrate that, from the complexity of our musical world results a truly universal sensitivity. One Step (at a Time) seeks to be resolutely modern and contemporary without abandoning its traditional musical heritage. Kévin’s instrumental melodies often rely on Paul’s electronic rhythms. The use of machines enriches and sublimates each musical phrase: early, the minimalist One Step (at a Time), alternates between hot and cold, and ends up delivering a rhythmic groove. With Arms, guitars mix with Trap beats, before a harmonica strikes a heady blow. Materialize resonates as a dark electro/club anthem, with its captivating vocal layering. Flower City Groove holds a lively rhythm, evolving into a chanted chorus, an ode to the city of Rochester, NY. Finally, lyrical piano chords accompany elements of a cold ambiance, with synthetic Notes.”

To listen to the album “One Step (At A Time),” click the link here.

January 20, 2023
It’s Just Al Releases Single “First Impressions”

Rochester’s It’s Just Al has just dropped “First Impressions,” a catchy tune for his first ever Spotify release. The song emphasizes a rap about a love that makes you constantly want to be with your significant other because of how real it is. Alex raps about how his love is like a drug, specifically cocaine.

When Alex was just twelve years old, his mother fell ill with a disease called vasculitis. This is when your immune system hurts your blood vessels by mistake. Over the next few months since diagnosis, Alex watched his mother grow weaker until her passing on Friday June 15^th, 2018. For the next four years of his life Alex would deal with his grief in silence, only for it to be washed away when he heard his first ever rap song, mockingbird by Eminem.

From that day on, Alex fell in love with the emotional side of rap music. He became heavily inspired to make others feel happy inside, just as he felt when he listened to Eminem for the first time. To form his rap identity, he took this inspiration from popular rap artists such as Eminem, Kanye West, D-12, G-Eazy, Yelawolf, and more. From now on, Alex goes by It’s Just Al.

It’s Just Al’s single “First Impressions” is a pop song infused with rap, combining inspiration from his favorite artists. The vocals and lyrics of the song are very catchy, making it an irresistible hit.

Check out It’s just Al on Instagram by clicking the link here.

January 6, 2023