NYS Music 2024

Author: Carl Granfelt

  • After 30 Year Split, Crash Harmony Release New Song “Orange Background”

    Formed at Yale in 1986, NYC-based band Crash Harmony has released the second single from their upcoming first-ever album, No One Asked for This, set to be released on Oct. 18.

    Crash harmony

    “Orange Background” is the newest song from the indie rock group Crash Harmony, and it will be included on their debut album, No One Asked for This, set for release on Oct. 18 through the Montclair, NJ-based label Magic Door Record Label. The band draws influence from acts like The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Big Star, and R.E.M, contributing to the song’s clear ’90s vibe, which fits it comfortably within the group of other ’90s indie bands, particularly R.E.M.

    Now based in NYC, Crash Harmony consists of Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Gramercy Arms, Lloyd Cole), Nils Nadeau, Jon Nighswander, and Mike Potenza (The Anderson Council). Formed in 1986 at Yale University, the band played its last gig in May 1988 and hadn’t performed together again until 2022. After more than 30 years apart, they reunited to record this 10-track album, releasing the lead single, “Velour Goddess,” on Aug. 20. The album was recorded with renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna, Elk City, Gramercy Arms) at Magic Door Recording and is already available for pre-order.

    “‘Orange Background’ is a letter from our college selves to our grown selves and also, in a way, from Generation X to what we have now in the world,” says Nadeau. “It’s also the only one, played back, that might have made me wet-eyed for a minute”.

    Learn more here.

  • Albany Symphony and ESYO Present “Symphony Side-by-Side”

    On Monday, Oct. 14, The Albany Symphony and the Empire State Youth Orchestra will offer the chance to rehearse and perform with a professional symphony orchestra in a “Symphony Side-by-Side” at MVP Arena in Albany.

    Symphony Side-by-Side

    Following the success of last year’s “Movie Music Play-In,” which engaged more than 1,500 people, the Albany Symphony and the ESYO have announced a special free family-friendly event, entitled “Symphony Side-by-Side,” that is designed to engage and entertain audiences of all ages.

    Members of the ESYO along with high school and college students from across the Capital Region, will join forces with the Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony. Together, they will rehearse and perform, gaining invaluable experience in the professional symphonic performance process. Musicians from both the Albany Symphony and ESYO will perform a dynamic selection of music—ranging from blockbuster hits in film, television, and video games to beloved symphonic classics—while sitting literally side by side.

    ESYO, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1979, has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards. 

    The event will culminate in a grand finale featuring community musicians of all ages, celebrating the unifying power of music. For the finale, audience members are invited to join the stage with their instruments for a lively performance of John Williams’ iconic “Imperial March” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Community members can choose to participate at different points throughout the concert.

    Families can also enjoy a variety of activities, including an “instrument petting zoo,” where children can explore and try out different musical instruments.

    Learn more here.

  • Caffè Lena @ SPAC Festival Returns Oct. 5

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in partnership with Caffè Lena have announced the return of the free annual “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” festival which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 from midday to 5:30 pm.

    Caffe Lena @ SPAC

    The festival will feature five bands that explore roots, rock, funk, bluegrass, jazz, pop, and indie-folk including Nation Beat with Melanie Sholtz, Wild Adriatic, and others for one day only on Oct. 5. The free event will take place on SPAC’s Charles R. Wood Stage, and will give audiences a wide variety of genres and styles to listen to throughout the day.

    The “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” festival highlights a unique, ongoing collaboration between the arts center and the folk music venue. Caffè Lena has been recognized as the largest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States since opening in 1960 in historic downtown Saratoga.

    The collaboration between SPAC and Caffè Lena first launched in 2017, which included jointly curated and presented programs at both venues. Guests are welcome to bring in food, drink, blankets and lawn chairs for the concerts. Food concessions will also be available. The concerts will take place rain or shine. 

    “Everyone in the crowd treats this event as a gift, and it really is,” says Sarah Craig, executive director of Caffè Lena. “SPAC is a huge organization compared to Caffè Lena, but we both have our hearts in serving the community where we live. We want to be accessible and have the art that happens on our stages be here for everyone. This festival puts those values into action.”

    Learn more here.

    Caffe Lena @ SPAC Full Concert Lineup

    11:30 AM | Gates Open  

    Noon-12:50 PM| Kat & Brad

    1:10-2:00 PM| Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light

    2:20-3:10 PM | Alice Howe & Freebo

    3:30-4:20 PM | Wild Adriatic

    4:40- 5:20 PM | Nation Beat with Melanie Sholtz

  • Waterhole Announces October Lineup Featuring Rocktober Fest

    The Waterhole of Saranac Lake has announced its full October schedule, which will include the conclusion of this season’s “Party on the Patio,” the debut of Rocktober Fest, and a Halloween Bash/Costume Contest to close out the month.

    October lineup the Waterhole
    Raisinhead on the patio

    Kicking off the month on Thursday, Oct. 3, Mal Maiz will blend traditional cumbia with psychedelic grooves, Latin, reggae, and Afro-Caribbean sounds. Based out of Burlington, VT, Costa Rican Brujo, Maiz Vargas Sandoval and his Afro-Latino Orchestra are an East Coast dance band with both traditional and modern flair.

    The next day, on Oct. 4, a new annual event called Rocktoberfest will debut. Super 400, a Troy, NY-based band that closed out the 2023 party season with a high-energy rock performance, will play on the patio, with food provided by Kate Mountain Farm and Oktoberfest beer from Zero Gravity.

    On Oct. 10, Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse will make their Waterhole debut. The Wheelhouse is an amalgamation of some of the best musicians in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Together, Drew and the band contribute to heartfelt songwriting showcasing their signature southern soul n’ roll sound.

    Raisinhead will play the Season Finale Party on the Patio on Oct. 17. The band has built a strong following in Upstate New York, promising audiences an interactive evening of sound, energy, and pure fun. Help us bid farewell to our beloved concert series.

    The annual Halloween Bash and costume contest on Oct. 26 will feature Underground System, a band that has captivated Saranac Lakers with their hypnotic, infectious grooves. This six-piece band from NYC blends dance club vibes with Afrobeat, Latin rhythms, and musical influences from around the world. Special guests New Planets will open the night, blending diverse sonic narratives and performing dance music that defies borders and genres.

    Full Waterhole October 2024 Schedule:

    Thursday, Oct. 3 – Mal Maiz (Party on the Patio, 6-10 PM)

    Friday, Oct. 4 – Super 400 (Rocktoberfest on the Patio 6-10 PM)

    Thursday, Oct. 10 – Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse (Party on the Patio, 6-10 PM)

    Thursday, Oct. 17 – Raisinhead (Party on the Patio, 6-10PM)

    Saturday, Oct. 26 – Underground System wsg. New Planets (Halloween Bash, 7 PM-1 AM, $15 Admission)

    The Waterhole in Saranac Lake is a 21+ venue. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Concert tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website.

  • Buffalo Band Far Trio Announce Live Shows

    Far Trio will embark on a fall tour that will amount to 14 dates across New York through Sep. and Oct. ahead of their new album expected next year.

    Far Trio

    Far Trio is an “earthy fusion” band from Buffalo that was formed over a decade ago in Fredonia, NY. They are going on tour this fall bringing their unique blend of soul, blues, and singer-songwriter vibes to audiences throughout New York State.

    Eamon Rayhn (vocals, bass), Drew Azzinaro (vocals, guitar), and Ethan Fox (drums) form the band which has been a fixture in the region’s music scene for the past five years. They have performed over 150 shows annually across cities like Buffalo, NYC, the Finger Lakes, Philadelphia, and the Hudson Valley.

    Far Trio has played at renowned venues including The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Shakti Lounge, So Far NYC, and major jazz festivals such as The Northwest Jazz Festival and Carnegie Jazz Festival. They have earned critical acclaim for their fresh takes on classic songs by artists such as John Lennon and The Allman Brothers, and their original compelling compositions.

    In 2022, Far Trio released their second album, Ordinary Moments, recorded in Woodstock, NY, with legendary producer Scott Petito (James Taylor, Chick Corea, John Scofield). The album features 14 tracks ranging from soulful singer-songwriter tunes to raunchy blues-tinged grooves. This latest work showcases the band’s evolution as a unit, with each member augmenting the others’ compositions and delivering a diverse sound that captivates a wide audience.

    The band has stated that a new project is on the horizon for next year, the band continues to write, experiment, and create music that transcends genres while keeping its soul firmly rooted in the earthy fusion they are known for.

    Learn more here.

    New York Tour Dates:

    Sept 28th – Locktoberfest, Lockport

    Sept 29th – Grist Iron, Burdett

    Oct 4th – Opening for Joe Marcinek at Palace Theater, Lockport

    Oct 5th – Tap and Brew, Niagara Falls

    Oct 10th – Stamford Coffee, Stamford, NY

    Oct 11th – Scale House, Hector

    Oct 12th – Greenwolf, Middleburgh

    Oct 13th – Twin Star Vineyards, New Paltz

    Oct 18th – Bright Eyes, Long Beach

    Oct 19th – Red Shed, Cooperstown

    Oct 20th – Tasting Lab, Greenville

  • Playhouse Stage Company Announces Season 37 Lineup

    The Playhouse Stage Company has announced five new productions for their 2024/25 season at the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes

    Playhouse Stage Company

    The theme for this season is “Coming of Age, from the Screen to the Stage,” and will include, A Christmas Story: The Musical (Dec. 4 – 22, 2024), Heathers (Feb. 21 – Mar. 9, 2025), Schoolhouse Rock Live (Mar. 12 – Apr. 4), The Little Mermaid (July 17 – Aug. 11), and Moana Jr. (Aug. 20-24), with more to be announced soon.

    Moana Jr. will be performed by the Playhouse Stage Academy’s younger students in a youth adaptation of Moana. The Little Mermaid will also feature a large cast of the company’s advanced teen students who will work alongside local and regional professionals.

    In addition to productions at Cohoes Music Hall, during the summer season, the company will return to Park Playhouse in Albany’s Washington Park, and Guilderland Performing Arts Center in Tawasentha Park to present free, outdoor summer musical theater for the community. Details about title selection and schedule will be announced in early 2025. 

    Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free outdoor summer musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse since 1989. They have also been presenting musicals year-round at the historic Cohoes Music Hall since 2016. The Company also holds classes for youths and adults including acting classes, dance classes, vocal classes, and more.

    “We’re presenting a series of dynamic musical adaptations of film classics and cult hits, all of which tell stories of growing up and discovering the world around us,” says Playhouse Stage Co. Producing Artistic Director Owen Smith. “Building on the success of this past season, we will once again feature the region’s most talented young performers across all of our productions.”

    Purchase tickets, season memberships, and learn more here.

  • Perelman PAC Announces First Icons of Culture Festival

    The inaugural Icons of Culture Festival presented by BNY, will feature influential actors, artists, chefs, and more in conversation from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 at the newly opened Perelman Performing Arts Center in Downtown Manhattan.

    Icons of Culture Festival

    The Icons of Culture Festival will bring audiences into the room with trailblazers in music, comedy, film, sports, and more to talk about pushing boundaries, making a mark, and elevating the everyday to the iconic. The festival features cultural change-makers sharing their personal journeys and powerful insights, encouraging us all to be iconic in our own lives.
    Featured conversations at the festival include Misty Copeland, The Dogist, Alex Edelman, Renée Fleming, Michael Imperioli, Baaba Maal, Philippe Petit, Questlove, Marcus Samuelsson, Kathleen Turner, Serena Williams, and Vanity Fair‘s Little Gold Men Live, and more to be announced.

    PAC NYC on Fulton Street in Manhattan is the new home for artists in theater, dance, music, opera, and multi-disciplinary performances from New York and around the world. Since its opening in September of 2023, PAC has brought many concerts and series to their stages, to “create a range of unique experiences for audiences and be fully responsive to artists’ creative visions.” On their lobby stage, you can catch concerts throughout the year on most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Series such as “Old Songs, New Songs” which features artists from the Middle East and North Africa, or “¡Oyeme!” which features hip-hop and Latinidad artists.

    Tickets for the festival are on sale now. Learn more about Perelman Performing Arts Center and purchase tickets here.

  • Hudson Valley Votes Concert and Rally Will Be Held On Oct. 4

    Hudson Valley Votes will hold a “Get-Out-The-Vote” rally and concert at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston on Oct. 4 at 7:30 pm.

    Hudson Valley Votes Concert

    A concert and rally with the primary goal of motivating citizens from Ulster County and the surrounding areas to vote in national and local races on Nov. 5, will be put on by Hudson Valley Votes and co-presented by Dayglo. The event will bring regionally-based artists and musicians to perform at the UPAC on Oct. 4. All net proceeds from this year’s concert/rally will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.

    The organization was originally founded in early 2018 by a group of friends in Woodstock, including Ulster County residents Abbe Aronson, Jason Bowman, and Acacia Ludwig. They have produced voter turnout events for the past six years, including concerts/rallies to bring attention to the importance of local elections, civic engagement, and to encourage turnout at the polls. In 2018, they produced the first sold-out concert/rally at UPAC. In 2020, they put on a virtual concert due to the pandemic.

    “What makes Hudson Valley Votes so special is how it brings together the arts and politics, reflecting the strength and creativity of our community, From making housing more affordable to protecting reproductive rights, this event shows how we can come together to create real, positive change. This election is one of historic importance—from electing leaders like Harris and Walz, to winning back the House, to securing the Equal Rights Amendment. We need to make sure every person exercises their right to vote. I’m excited to be part of this moment and to continue fighting for a brighter, more equitable future for all of us.”

    Michelle Hinchey (New York State Senator)

    This year, Hudson Valley Votes Concert and Rally 2024 will be hosted by activist and actor Thomas Sadoski with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody, and additional special guests. One of these special guests will be Natalie Merchant (formerly of 10,000 Maniacs) who will speak and perform.

    The event is produced by all Hudson Valley locals including Natalie Merchant, Elizabeth Penta, and Elizabeth Mitchell, along with Political Directors, Liam Kahn and Jazmin Kay, and co-producers Tricia Reed, Suzanne Walton, Mary Gormley, and Kristy Engels.

    This year, New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Congress Member Pat Ryan (NY-18), New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-41), Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha (NY-103), and Josh Riley (candidate for Congress, NY-19) will all speak.

    “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a large and varied community of artists, here in the Hudson Valley, who are willing to show up when it matters…and this election really matters. With this rally, we’re doing all we can to put our Democratic candidates in the spotlight and amplify what they have to say.”

    Natalie Merchant

    Learn more and purchase tickets here.

    Full Performer Lineup:

    Mandy Patinkin & Kathryn Grody

    Natalie Merchant

    Thomas Sadoski

    Jack DeJohnette

    Gail Ann Dorsey

    The Felice Brothers

    Amy Helm

    Nels Cline

    Resistance Revival Chorus

    Steven Bernstein

    Lance Horn

    Ely Kreimendahl

    Reggie Earls

    Rock Academy

    Energy Dance Company

    Elected Officials & Candidates to Speak:

    New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado

    Congress Member Pat Ryan (NY-18)

    New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-41)

    Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha (NY-103)

    Josh Riley (candidate for Congress, NY-19)

    Yvette Valdes Smith

  • Starcleaner Reunion Release new single “Plein Air”

    NYC band Starcleaner Reunion have released “Plein Air” and announced the release of their Cafe Life EP, out September 20.

    Starcleaner Reunion
    Photo Credit: Catrina Kokkoris

    New York City-based, New Jersey natives, Starcleaner Reunion have released their second single from their upcoming EP, Café Life, due Sept 20. Singer Jo Roman, guitarists Pat Drummond & Neil Torman, and bassist Adam Kenter have been making music together since high school in New Jersey, After meeting drummer Sam Unger in New York in 2022, the band released their debut EP Club Estrella, a collection of their earliest ideas. The band has received praise from magazines such as FLOOD, Stereogum, and Paste in the recent past.

    “Café Life is indebted to a certain slowness, a ‘not-hurrying’ – title is a reference to a certain European way of life – refusing to rush anything and taking one’s time.”

    Starcleaner Reunion

    This new EP was recorded in a makeshift home studio that allowed the band more time to experiment during the recording process. Including bringing on Ruben Radlauer of Model/Actriz for mixing duties. Last month the band released their first single of the cycle, “The Hand That I Put Down.”

    The band refers to themselves as “Euro-pop,” and it is a shockingly fitting moniker. French band Air immediately comes to mind while listening to their music, but Starcleaner Reunion puts it on the dancefloor. Jo Roman’s lyrics describe feelings rather than events which produce images that seem to only be viewed through a warped, foggy, mirror. “Take it back/stepping back the time/Every step back and every single moment.”

    If you like, Stereolab, of Montreal, The Hit Parade, Broadcast, Sweet Trip, or Air, you’ll love Starcleaner Reunion.

    Starcleaner Reunion Upcoming Tour Dates:

    Sep 20: Binghamton, NY @ The Bundy Museum

    Oct 24: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Hello Mary

    Nov 1: Philidelphia PA @ Spruce Street Harbor Park

  • Spyro Gyra Release “50/50″ off new Album “Jubilee”

    Buffalo jazz band, Spyro Gyra, have released a new single “50/50” commemorating their 50th anniversary.

    The group have also announced an upcoming anthology album out Nov. 8 that covers their first decade of recorded music. They hit three cities in NY on their upcoming tour, Patchogue, Peekskill and Manhattan in 2025.

    Spyro Gyra

    Since 1974 when Spyro Gyra first came together in Buffalo, they began experimenting with a fusion of jazz with R&B, Latin, and world music that has lead to great success and many achievements such as 13 Grammy nominations along with multiple Gold & Platinum albums. Their newest album, Jubilee, is an anthology compilation album that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Spyro Gyra’s formation. The album will contain classic songs and fan favorites from the years 1977-1987, including the Billboard hits, “Shaker Song” and “Morning Dance.”

    This year the band, whose current line up consists of, Jay Beckenstein (saxophone), Julio Fernandez (guitar), Chris Fischer (keyboards), Scott Ambush (bass), and Lionel Cordew (drums) will embark on a world headline tour, which will land them in New York for three dates in Patchogue, Peekskill, and Manhattan.

    Their new single, “50/50,” is out now through Amherst Records/Reservoir Recordings. The song is a precursor to the upcoming album Jubilee, which will be released on Friday, Nov. 8 on 2CD and 2LP gold and purple colored vinyl which you can preorder from their websire. These editions will include never-before-seen photos from the band and exclusive liner notes from veteran music journalist Jonathan Widran.

    For more information, visit their website.

    Sypro Gyra 2024/25 Tour:

    28 – New Orleans, LA – International Arts Festival

    10/1 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre

    10/3 – Nashville, TN – City Winery

    10 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery

    10/11 – Chicago, IL – City Winery

    10/13 – Bethesda, MD – Bethesda Theater

    11/1 – Assens, Denmark – Tobaksgaarden

    11/2 – Zurich, Switzerland – JAZZNOJAZZ Festival

    11/4 – Bad Meinberg, Germany – Hotel Bad Meinberg

    11/5 – Zoetermeer, Netherlands – De Boerderij

    11/9 – Stuttgart, Germany – BIX Jazzclub

    11/10 – Milan, Italy – Blue Note Milano

    11/11 – Leverkusen, Germany – Leverkusener Jazztage

    11/21 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s

    11/22 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s

    11/24– Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts

    12/1 – Bend, OR – Riverhouse Convention Center

    3/5 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theater

    3/6 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theater

    3/7 – Ormond Beach, FL – Ormond Beach PAC

    3/8 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Parker

    3/9 – Melbourne, FL – King Center

    3/13 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theater

    3/14 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley Theater

    3/15 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater

    5/8-11 – Seattle, WA – Jazz Alley

    6/14 – Sony Hall – New York, NY

    6/26 – Blue Gate PAC – Shipshewana, IN