NYS Music 2024

Author: Carl Granfelt

  • Jersey City’s Hudson West Music Festival Returns Sept 28

    Hudson West Music Festival will provide a day of Americana, folk, and roots music on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, from noon to 10:00 pm in Downtown Jersey City at the Nimbus Arts Center.

    Hudson West Music Festival

    Founded in 2016, as a non-profit organization, the Hudson West Fest is an Americana, Folk & Roots music festival that presents performers from across North America to both play and teach. New Jersey’s Hudson West Fest annually holds an all-day music festival but has also expanded its music programming over the years to include Music Workshops, a Talent Search, Open Mics, Free Concerts presenting local musicians, and School Music Programs. This year the festival will include a free street festival that will take place on Warren street right in front of the Nimbus Art center from 2:00 to 7:00. The street festival will include a book signing with Terri Thal, music lessons, performances, and a jam.

    You can enjoy all the performances indoors as well as a variety of music workshops on topics such as guitar tricks and song writing taught by this year’s Hudson West Fest performers and Welcome Home New Jersey will bring a taste of ethnic foods. Entry is $35 each person, or $40 at the door. 

    Hudson West says their mission is “to enable fine musicians to earn a living from their art.” and “to help the larger community hear high quality music and gain a greater appreciation.”

    Hudson West Music Festival Mainstage Lineup

    Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson, with David Mansfield

    Lily Henley

    Adam Falcon

    Christine Santelli and Heather Hardy

    Ed Snodderly

    Joe Crookston

    Jared Tyler

    Paul Sachs 

    Learn more here.

  • Hearing Aide: Sons of Venus’ “Crisis to Crisis”

    Crisis to Crisis, the third album by NYC band Sons of Venus was released on in June. The album is a nuclear missile of existential prog-rock aimed at the heart of American greed.

    Crisis to Crisis

    Sons of Venus are John Sully, (Composition, Production, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards) Ruslan Baimurzin (drums), and Igor Reznik (Bass). Sully the band’s frontman, was a composer and sound designer at Ideal Glass, a film and TV studio in the east village, where he put together after-hour jams when he met Baimurzin. After adding Reznik to the trio, the band now experiments with musical styles like prog, psych, punk, and funk, and has three albums to their name.

    Crisis to Crisis, the third Sons of Venus album was recorded first by Sully; who tracked all the vocals, guitars, and keyboards, then sent the tracks to Baimurzin and Reznik for overdubbing. The result is a psychedelic journey that stays true to progressive and punk roots.

    Sons of Venus

    The particular sound of Sons of Venus’ Crisis to Crisis is difficult to pin down for many reasons. First, it is of a fleeting genre that has been out of the spotlight for decades. Second, the length of the songs averages over 6 minutes each, and third the lyrics are quite sad – depressing really. In all, Crisis to Crisis is not a pop album by any extent of the word. Sully says, “Crisis to Crisis is not music for the casual listener.” It will not be played on the radio. This, to me, is a positive. While not being tethered to what the broader population wants, the project has the freedom to speak of the future honestly and refreshingly. The lyrics explore the disappointing trajectory the world is heading down. Look no further than the album cover to see images of forest fires natural disasters, nurses, and the stock market.

    The album has a spacey psychedelic sound that is clearly inspired by classic 70’s prog and psych bands such as, Yes and Rush. Additionally, many of the songs have distinctly David-Gilmore-esque, bending, trembling solos which add to the 70’s zeitgeist. Even the vocals are often mixed in such a way that adds to the aesthetic of belonging to a different era.

    Standout Tracks:

    “Dead Languages,” the opening track, begins with a crunching scratchy acoustic guitar that I wish there was more of throughout the album. The song blasts by on an intergalactic mission to expose the crux of our society. Sully’s lyrics reflect on the current state of human affairs. “We will forget the truths we let die inside ourselves.”

    “Guaranteed,” the second track on the record has a unique groove to it that brings The Flaming Lips to mind. Sully says, “Forget about the world you can hardly care, as long as you’re getting what you think is fair.”

    “The Art of Coincidence” is the sixth and final track which is the existential climax of the album. Heavy ominous bells ring announcing judgment day for us all. The finale of Crisis to Crisis has heavy synth production, tremolo, delay, reverb, and the tappings of crash symbols. Sully advises, “Touch the heart, tilt the scales, unfold the flags, raise the sails.”

    Support Sons of Venus here.

  • Corning Harvest Fest Returns to Gaffer District Sept 20-21

    Corning’s Gaffer District presents the 2024 installment of the annual Harvest Fest. The festival will take place on Sept 20 and Sept 21 on historic Market Street in Corning, NY.

    HARVEST Fest

    Harvest Fest is the annual celebration in downtown Corning, NY that welcomes the Fall season from Friday, Sept 20, through Saturday, Sept 21. On the five blocks of historic Market Street, experience over 200 vendors, a scarecrow contest, highland cows, stilt walkers, horse-drawn wagon rides, music performances, hayrides, and more. The Gaffer District has announced Williams Toyota as the title sponsor of Harvest Fest 2024.

    On every block of Market Street, the streets will be blocked off for pedestrian access on both Friday and Saturday. There will be food from local vendors, as well as outdoor dining from beloved restaurants of the community. Both local businesses, and farmers will have booths set up and live music will be performed. Some special events include a sports car show in Centerway Parking Garage from 5-8 on Friday and a cornhole tournament at the Radisson Hotel Corning on Saturday. You will also have the opportunity to check out some of Corning’s most prominent landmarks such as the Little Joe Tower, Centerway Square, and more.

      Coleen Fabrizi, the Executive Director of Corning’s Gaffer District Inc. says, “It doesn’t matter if your idea of the perfect Fall event is something mellow with great shopping and great food options or a list of fun activities and great tunes, this Harvest event is going to be at the top of your list, we can’t wait to welcome you all!”

      Corning Harvest Fest Schedule

      FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 4PM — 9PM:

      • Savor delicious food from local vendors while dining on Market Street.
      • Shop among local businesses, vendors and farmers.
      • Enjoy live music performances on every block of Market Street. FREE 
      • 607 MotorSports Car Show in Centerway Parking Garage from 5PM — 8PM. FREE

      SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st, 11AM — 9PM:

      • Face painting for kids by Jennifer Skella on Block 2, 11AM — 7PM. FREE
      • Take part in a cornhole tournament presented by the Radisson Hotel Corning, put on by SCNY. 
      • Vote for your favorite scarecrow created by local Market Street businesses. FREE
      • Enjoy captivating stilt walker performances presented by Bath Planet throughout Market Street. FREE
      • Take a scenic hayride with Hemlock HIdden Hames. Rides going from 1PM — 5PM. $5 for kids, $10 for adults. Loading at the Market St. & Wall St. Intersection near The Radisson Hotel.
      • 6 Pack Trials Car Show 9AM — NOON on Block 5. FREE
      • YMCA: Enjoy inflatable children’s activities in Riverfront Park 10AM — 6PM. FREE
      • Balloon Art: Watch the Balloon Lady create amazing balloon sculptures from 1:30PM — 5PM on Block 1. FREE
      • Experience live music at the Val Reep Fountain near the Market/Chestnut St. intersection from 11 AM to 6:30 PM. FREE
      • Enjoy live music at the Centerway Stage from 11 AM — 8:30 PM. FREE
      • Listen to live performances at the Marich Music Stage from 10 AM — 7 PM. FREE

      Learn more about Harvest Fest here.

    • Gooseberry Release Debut Album “All My Friends Are Cattle”

      Indie Brooklyn band, Gooseberry, have released their debut full-length album titled, All My Friends Are Cattle.

      Gooseberry
      Gooseberry continue their buzz with the release of their debut album, All My Friends Are Cattle.

      Gooseberry, formed in 2019, is a band which takes inspiration from genres such as alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their sound. Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass) form the group and have played major venues across the east coast including, Baby’s All Right, the Knitting Factory, and The Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

      Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, the trio has received praise from editorials such as Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. In April, Gooseberry announced their debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. The album was released on Sept 6 and has been steadily growing in popularity since its release. The band has been on tour leading up to the release of the album over Aug and Sept, including four dates in New York.

      “We are super fortunate to call a lot of really great – and buzzing – NYC bands our friends. We feel ourselves part of that community and eternally grateful for being welcomed with such open arms. Our hometown has truly shaped what this band has become.”

      Asa Daniels

      The ten-track album was recorded at Precision Sound Studios in New York City with an all-star production team including, Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush), Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon), who served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). They were joined also by Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) who mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) who mastered it. The band’s “honorary fourth member” Dan Janis of Baked Goods, provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.

      The album begins with “Kikiyon,” a harder, driven track with an instantly recognizable riff that pays homage to many classic rock songs over the years, most notably The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” The solo on that song in particular has a distinct feeling to it that sounds much different than what is in vogue. As the album runs on, the songs grow softer and softer ending in the reverb-soaked “Start Over.”

      Though powered by heavy 90s alternative influences, the standout tracks on the album are the gentler, simpler songs, like “Cherry Blossoms,” which remind listeners of artists like Jack Johnson. It is through these tracks that Gosseberry reveals who they can be.

      The album contains a multitude of interesting musical ideas, most notably, the feature of the distinctive blare of the saxophone especially on “All The Same.” Many songs have clear Nirvana, Bush, and other 90’s alt inspiration, but the vocals on the record bear a recognizable similarity to more contemporary pop groups. As with many young bands, Gooseberry is still attempting to find their own sound.

      The kaleidoscopic image on the cover is representative of the entire album in more ways than one. With just a glance, you see a menagerie of colors and feelings, each one notably different from its counterparts. While interesting for a moment, a deeper look renders the full image fractured and without a clear cohesion through all parts. Yet still briefly pretty.

      Key Tracks: Cattle, Cherry Blossoms, One of the Good Ones.

      Gooseberry will play the Richmond Music Hall in Richmond VA on Oct 3 and at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, in NC on Oct 5.

    • Shower Curtain Drop “benadryl man” Ahead of Album Release

      The Brooklyn-based band Shower Curtain has released “benadryl man,” their second single from their upcoming album Words From a Wishing Well, out on October 18.

      Shower Curtain

      Shower Curtain, the four-piece band led by vocalist Victoria Winter has become a new fixture in the Brooklyn Shoegaze scene. As a band, they have been steadily releasing music since 2020, with the release of their self-titled EP. Now, four years later, their first album is set to release in October on Angel Tapes/Fire Talk Records. Their sound has evolved quite a bit over this period culminating in an album that contains more introspective lyrics than previous works.

      “benadryl man” in particular contains the hauntingly visual lyrics, “He’s hanging out when I’m not around,” Which rather than explaining a ‘nightmare,’ recounts a grotesque mystery; a discomfort to be sure, but one that reflects a disappointing reality instead of a genuine horror. A common theme in these songs is the yearning for a lost innocence left behind in childhood. This is visualized in the music video (see below) for their newest song, which features stuffed animals and tea parties… but make it creepy.

      Victoria Winter, says, “‘benadryl man’ tells the story of my issues with sleeping and anxiety. I see a figure sitting on my couch and it prevents me from entering a stage of peace, moreover not feeling safe in my home. The instrumentals are a little sinister and creepy, and I always envisioned having strings on this.”

      The songs of Shower Curtain take the principles of the shoegaze sound of the nineties, (particularly reminiscent of those with female vocalists such as Lush or my bloody valentine) but by utilizing the vocals as the lead of the tracks, rather than riffs, it tightens to gap toward pop which brings a distinctly modern feeling.

      On Sep 28, they’ll perform at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn with Winter.

      Learn more about Shower Curtain here.

    • New York State Blues Festival Returns in 2025

      The annual New York State Blues Festival has been confirmed and will once again return to the Chevy Court in Syracuse from June 12-14, 2025.

      New York State Blues Festival

      The annual free festival will take place on the New York State Fairgrounds (581 State Fair Blvd Syracuse, NY 13209) in mid-June of 2025. This will be the 32nd edition of the festival. Founded in 1992, every year the festival brings thousands of music fans from around New York and beyond to celebrate blues music and culture.

      A diverse line-up of local, regional, and national artists will take to the stage. In the past, acts such as Little Feat, Buddy Guy, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, and many more have headlined the festival. A variety of food vendors will be onsite and wine & beer will be sold. Retail & craft vendors will also be set up inside of the festival grounds.

      The team behind the New York State Blues Festival has said, “The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The Syracuse, NY festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the US and around the world.”

      The lineup for this year has yet to be announced. Learn more about the festival here.

    • Adequate Phil Release Playful New Single “9ine Beers D33p”

      A new 2-track single from Troy’s Adequate Phil, “9ine Beers D33p,” was released on Aug. 18. This single features two guest artists which blends the bands spacey, psychedelic sounds with their smooth, lyrical flows.

      Adequate Phil

      Adequate Phil is a band from Troy who define themselves as a psychedelic freak-folk group. The band consists of Arunesh Ghosh and Andrew Golden while featuring on this track, Kevin Burns, Matthew Johnson, and Matt Malone.

      Adequate Phil are heavily influenced by classic psychedelic acts like Animal Collective, The Beatles, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Radiohead. This new track manages to blend in elements of hip-hop production. This gives their sound interesting parallels with acts such as Gorillaz or Danger Mouse, while still providing interesting and new ideas.

      For their latest single “9ine Beers D33p” released on Aug. 18, the band has teamed up with two MCs in Troy, Big Lettuce and Yung Alfredo. This is a project that manages to produce a sound with the feeling of 8-bit stoned stargazing. Adequate Phil says, “It’s been a blast working on this, and we think it’s some of our best stuff yet.”

      Learn more about Adequate Phil by checking out their website here.

    • Pentatonix Announce 2024 Holiday Tour Making Three Stops in NY

      Pentatonix have announced the dates for their 2024 holiday tour: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour. Pentatonix’s holiday tradition returns for the third year with their biggest Christmas tour yet. They will play at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 26, in Albany on Nov. 16, and in Buffalo on Nov. 23.

      pentatonix

      Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee make up the three-time Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated quintet, Pentatonix. They have announced a 2024 winter tour going from Nov 14 to Dec 22. The group will hit three venues in New York; Madison Square Garden, MVP Arena in Albany, and KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

      Since emerging in 2011, the vocal quintet has reached unprecedented rights for an a cappella group. They have sold 10 million albums worldwide and have performed everywhere from The White House and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to The Hollywood Bowl. They have had two albums hit #1 on the Billboard 200—Pentatonix [2015] and A Pentatonix Christmas [2016]. They made history as the first a cappella act to win ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ at the Grammys in 2015 and 2016. and again they won a Grammy in the category “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for their duet with Dolly Parton on her song “Jolene.” 

      pentatonix

      The group has played at many world-renowned venues and for world-renowned people such as The Kennedy Center Honors for Tom Hanks, covering “That Thing You Do” as President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama watched from the crowd. They have also collaborated with Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, and Lindsey Stirling, to name a few.

      They played a role in the film Pitch Perfect 2, and in 2023, received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Pentatonix will also star in the upcoming Netflix holiday romcom, Meet Me Next Christmas.

      Learn more about Pentatonix here.

      Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour Dates:

      11/14 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena

      11/16 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena

      11/17 – Hershey, PA @ GIANT Center

      11/19 – Worcester, MA @ DCU Center

      11/21 – Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena

      11/23 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center

      11/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena

      11/26 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden

      11/30 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena

      12/1 – Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena

      12/3 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena

      12/4 – Duluth, GA @ Gas South Arena

      12/5 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

      12/7 – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center

      12/8 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

      12/10 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center

      12/11 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena

      12/12 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena

      12/14 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

      12/15 – Fargo, ND @ Fargodome

      12/17 – Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum

      12/18 – Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena

      12/19 – Tulsa, OK @  BOK Center

      12/21 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena

      12/22 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center

    • Unheard Version of Bob Dylan and The Band’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” Out Now

      “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” recorded on Jan 30, 1974 at Madison Square Garden has been released ahead of the upcoming Bob Dylan compendium, The 1974 Live Recordings. The album will contain never-before-heard recordings from Dylan and The Band and will be released on Sept 20.

      Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues
      Photo Credit: Barry Feinstein

      Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, have released “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” recorded by Bob Dylan and The Band live at Madison Square Garden, on Jan 30, 1974.

      From Dylan’s first tour in 8 years, The 1974 Live Recordings is a collection featuring every professionally recorded show from Bob Dylan’s 1974 arena tour with The Band. The complete recordings are out on September 20 celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s return to touring that year. Bob Dylan and The Band performed 30 dates in 42 days for that tour to an average audience of 18,500.

      The collection features 417 never-before-heard versions of some of Dylan’s most beloved songs, as well as some of his lesser known songs. Nearly all the recordings were not included on the original live album Before The Flood. The 1974 Tour was captured on a stereo soundboard mix, on both 1⁄4” tape and cassette.

      The collection will be available as a deluxe box set across 27 CDs, and includes 133 recordings newly mixed from 16-track tape, and every single surviving soundboard recording – along with new liner notes by journalist and critic Elizabeth Nelson. Jack White’s Third Man Records has announced the release of The 1974 Live Recordings – The Missing Songs From Before the Flood, a 3-LP / 1 x 7-inch set culled from the same recordings, featuring versions of every song Bob Dylan recorded that was not included on the original 1974 live album. The set will be available through The Vault on Colored Vinyl.

      Learn more and pre-order the box set here.

    • Five For Fighting Announce String Quartet Tour with 7 shows in NYS

      Five For Fighting’s String Quartet Tour kicks off Sept. 26. They will perform over two decades of hits and fan favorites with a four-piece string section. New York shows include stops in Homer, Saratoga Springs, Corning, Bethel, Oneonta, Bethlehem, and Port Washington.

      Five For Fighting

      Five For Fighting, otherwise known as John Ondrasik, is a platinum-selling, and Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer with a career spanning two decades since his first major single, “Superman (It’s Not Easy).” Five For Fighting has released six studio albums, including the certified platinum America Town, and The Battle for Everything.

      Ondrasik says, “The string quartet allows a more intimate experience and the ability to pull songs from my catalog with fantastic string arrangements from world-renowned composers that I do not play with the rock band. The string quartet also performs a multitude of classical and rock songs that change every night that is always a special treat for audiences.” The String Quartet will include the Tony Award-winning concertmaster and co-orchestrator of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Katie Kresek with Melissa Tong, Chris Cardona, and Peter Sachon.

      Five For Fighting Full Tour Schedule:

      September 26 in Homer, NY at Center for the Arts of Homer

      September 27 in Saratoga Springs, NY at Universal Preservation Hall

      September 28 in Corning, NY at Corning Museum Of Glass

      September 29 in Bethel, NY at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods

      October 1 in Oneonta, NY at Foothills Performing Arts Center

      October 3 in Nashua, NH at Nashua Center for the Arts

      October 4 in Laconia, NH at The Colonial Theatre Laconia

      October 5 in Bethlehem, NY at The Colonial Theatre

      October 6 in Waterville, ME at Waterville Opera House

      October 8 in Newport, RI at The JPT Film & Event Center

      October 9 in Red Bank, NJ at Count Basie Center for the Arts – The Vogel

      October 10 in Port Washington, NY at Landmark on Main Stree

      For more information and tickets go here.