NYS Music 2024

Author: Sophia Strange

  • Native American Music Awards Announces 2024 Nominees And Voting

    Returning for their 21st year, the Native American Music Awards has announced the list of nominees for this year’s ceremony, in addition to opening the public voting ballot.

    Originally debuting at Foxwoods in Connecticut in 1988, the Native American Music Awards has traveled the country in its celebration of Indigenous music, drawing in audiences from near and far as they honor the best of the best in today’s Native American musicians. 

    With over 200 artists in consideration each year, official nominees are selected by the national Advisory membership before being brought to the public. 

    Now over 20 years into the tradition, over one million people join the voting process through the public ballot forum in addition to the Advisory’s votes. In an exciting announcement, the NAMA has made the 2024 nominee list and opened voting to the public.

    The public voting ballot is open now on NAMA’s official website. To learn more and cast your ballot, visit here.

    The full list of nominees is below.

    2024 Native American Music Awards Nominees

    BEST  ALTERNATIVE RECORDING

    2Sacred (Two Spirit Sacred)– – Somewhere – Marx Cassity (Osage)

    Glorify Your Name – Running on Empty – Matthew Hawk (Navajo/Cherokee)

    Grandma’s Boy – LNW – Sequoia Crosswhite (Oohenunpa, Wakpekute, Sihasapa Mnicoujou Ihanktowan)

    Indian Route 15 – Indian Route 15 – One Way Sky (Gila River Indian Community/ Tohono O’odham Nation)

    Ruthless Time (prod. by Terrance Jade) – Juliana Brown Eyes ( Cheyenne River/Oglala Lakota)

    Self-Portrait – Waves – Asiah Holm (Cree First Nations)

    Spring’s Back – Garrison Parker (Metis)

    Star Struck – Inila – Santee Luke Witt – prod by Terrance Jade (Oglala Lakota)

    Took A Chance – Took a chance- NTG WINDWALKER (Lipan Apache)

    Wicahpi Olowan Vol. 1- Burden -Isolated South – Talon Ducheneaux (Oglala Lakota)

    BEST AMERICANA RECORDING

    Beautiful Broken Pieces – Time Stands Still – Jace Martin (First Nation Ontario)

    Beyond The Reservoir – Seeds – Julian Taylor (T’Karonto/Mohawk)

    Good People – Good People – Indian City featuring Julian Taylor (Sagkeeng First Nation/T’Karonto (Mohawk)

    Inuktitut – Isumagijunnaingittaq (The Unforgiven) – Elisapie (Inuit)

    Legend Of Lance -Perfect Pitch – John Shewfelt Jr (Gwich’in Athabaskan)

    Native Rose – Native Rose – Jan Michael Looking Wolf (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde/Kalapuya)

    Sister Star – Sister Star – Scott Simpson, Sandy Swallow-Morgan (Lakota/Northern Cheyenne)

    Spirit Horses – Chief Joseph – Linda Mckenzie  Timo Standing Buffalo Cano (Yaqui/Apache)

    The Light In My Bones – We Are Power – Annie Humphrey & John Trudell (Leech Lake Band Ojibwe)

    Willow – My Roots – Mimi O’Bonsawin (Odanak First Nation)

    BEST BLUES RECORDING

    A Place In The Sun – Love is a Dream – – Graywolf Blues Band (Yoeme)

    A Sweet Memory – A Party At the Crossroads – Always Right There –Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor (Mashpee Wampanoag)

    Burning Love – Burning Love – Irv Lyons Jr (Oneida)

    DoYou Wanna? – Dancing Along – Trent Agecoutay (Cowessess – Saulteaux)

    Guitar Man – Guitar Man – Lovers Annonymous – Gary Small (Northern Cheyenne)

    Native Blues – Gypsy Blue – Cecil Gray (Kiowa)

    Oh Great Warrior – Mountain Down Blues – Blue Mountain Tribe (Chiricahua Apache)

    Relocation – Cruise the Rez – Tracy Lee Nelson (Luiseno/Kumeyaay)

    Six Feet Apart – Miss Your Water – Nadine – Earl Slick & the West Side Social Club (Haudenosaunee)

    The Witch Queen of New Orleans The Witch Queen of New Orleans – Quartz feat Pat Vegas & Raven Hernandez (Yaqui/Shoshone/Navajo/Chumash)

    BEST COUNTRY RECORDING

    Hollywood Hillbilly – Hollywood Hillbilly – Jason Lee Wilson and James County (Cherokee/Chickamauga)

    Native Americana – I Belong – Made For Two – Ryan Little Eagle (Lakota, Taino)

    Pieces of Honey – Pieces Of Honey- I’d Never Break Your Heart – Billy Simard (Black River)

    Rez Chick – Rez Chick – Callie Bennett featuring Keith Secola (Navajo)

    Sandbar Sunsets – Sandbar Sunsets – Mickie James (POWHATAN)

    Songs of stepping lightly – The Thirsty Cougar – Kori Thornton (Colville)

    Sweet Home Oklahoma – Sweet Home Oklahoma – Ava Rose Johnson (Osage/Cherokee)

    That’s The Way It Goes – Over For Good – Jim Jacobs (Mohawk)

    The Trail Keeps Moving Forward – The Trail Keeps Moving Forward – Stephanie Carter (Muscogee Creek)

    Train Wreck Love – Between A Rock And A Hard Place – Brian Moon (MI’GMAQ)

    BEST FOLK RECORDING

    Awaken Us Oh God – Richelle Darby Garcia (Kiowa)

    Beyond The Reservoir – Seeds – Stolen Lands – Julian Taylor (Mohawk)

    Hoka – Imma Big Boy – Sacred Ground – December Wind (Mohawk)

    Indigenize – St’at’imc feat. Ostwelve – The Spiritual Warriors (Lilwat Nation )

    Just To Be – Round and Round – Indigie Femme (Navajo/Dine, Samoan and Maori)

    Kiyam – Tough Girl – Phyllis Sinclair (York Factory First Nation)

    Omen – Grace Too – Pisuppunga – Twin Flames (Inuit, Mohawk)

    Self-Portrait- Wildflower – Asiah Holm (Cree First Nations)

    Willow – Here’s To The Women – Mimi O’Bonsawin (Odanak First Nation)

    Wiping The Tears – Trees and Leaves – Wiping the Tears – Buffalo Weavers (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate)

    BEST HIP HOP RECORDING

    1222 – Holy Ghost – Joey Stylez & Pete Sands (Cree/Metis)

    Bimaadiziwin – I’m Livin Life –Warrior Spirit featuring Keith Secola (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa)

    Can’t Kill Me – Cant Kill Me-– LadySinncere (Squamish) ASLAM-ChristyLee-GPS

    Console Us – Console Us prod. by Keiji) – Ekichetu (Oglala)

    Decolonial Love Songs – Trippen – Waštewana – Jah’kota (Nakota)

    For Your Soul – Better Days – Native Hustle Vision , Dawson Dayne (Oglala Lakota)

    Grandma’s Boy – LNW – The Only Thing – Sequoia Crosswhite (Oceti Sakowin)

    Home Runs (Prod. Adam Banx) – Stella Standingbear (Oglala Lakota)

    Natives – Natives (prod. by Bazille) – K-DAWG (Cheyenne River Sioux)

    Top Mike Bone Tracks – VIBIN – Lil Mike & Funny Bone ft. Chille Baby (Pawnee)

    BEST INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING

    Butterfly Moon Butterfly Moon – Michael Charette & Severin Behnen (Ojibwe)

    Celestial Desire I Still Shine – Riverside Cake – Keanu Ienco (Havasupai / Metis)

    Keepers of the Wisdome-Healing Stories & Guided Meditations Earth Star – Red Feather Woman (Assiniboine/Sioux)

    Live From Studio A Metamorphosis The BlackBird 3 (Dakota/Eastern Band Cherokee)

    Mandala Orion – Painted Raven (Lakota/Cherokee)

    Prairie Dusk For Nikâwiy (deliberate and intentional, our suffering) – Jessica McMann (Cowessess First Nation), Holly Battacharya, Connor Chee

    Raven Speaks Raven Speaks – Artificial Red (Mvskoke/Choctaw/Euchee)

    VM6P Dramática – Famous Ones (Tohono O’odham)

    We Are The Medicine Canyon – Max Cameo Wayne Snellgrove (Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota)

    Works for the Bassoon by Native American Composers Nocturne for bassoon and marimba – Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama)

    BEST POP RECORDING

    1222 Holy Ghost – Joey Stylez & Pete Sands (Cree/Metis)

    A Light In The Attic Deadman – Logan Staats (Mohawk)

    Delicate Minds Memories – Robin Cisek (Metis Nation of Alberta)

    Good People Good People – Indian City featuring Julian Taylor (Sagkeeng First Nation)

    Heartbreaker Heartbreaker feat. Terrance Jade x Isolated South (Oglala Lakota)

    NWCS – NWCS– LadySinncere (Squamish) featuring A-SLAM-Aaron-Christie-Fara-Amin-

    Stranded In The Middle  Past Midnight – Hanna Andrea (Muscogee)

    The Light In My Bones – Is It Okay_1679 -Annie Humphrey We Are Power – Annie Humphrey & John Trudell (Ojibwe)

    This Is It – Callie Bennett (Navajo Dine’)

    Tribal Roots feat Edmund Bull Sweetlips – Tribal Roots (Metis/ Anishinaabe/ Cree)

    BEST R&B RECORDING

    Amazing Love Amazing Love -Taste The Night Focus & Ramonda (Navajo)

    Build/Destroy SHAMAN -Freakshow – The ZYG 808 – ft. Bishop the Shadowman & Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor (Mashpee Wampanoag)

    Decolonial Love Songs Trippen – Jah’kota (Ocean Man First Nation)

    Don’t Be Mad Don’t Be Mad – Taylor Rain (Produced by Evan Lee) (Crow)

    Euphonious A New Love Song – Irv Lyons Jr (Oneida)

    Life Dreams ft. Fedarro – G Precious (Ohkay Owingeh)

    Stay for Awhile Stay for Awhile – Ray Viktoria (Caddo)

    Toxic In Love Toxic In Love – Seylah Moses-Blevins (Colville Confederated Tribes)

    Tribal Roots feat Edmund Bull Sweetlips – Tribal Roots (Metis/ Anishinaabe/ Cree)

    Wrld Cry Liv Release – Olivia Colegrove Martinez Release – Liv Rion (Quinault)

    BEST RAP RECORDING   

    Better Be Ready – Better Be Ready feat. Bazille (prod. by Maka Sitomniya x Bazille) – Lakota Skull x Jay DeKay (Cheyenne River Lakota)

    Blessings Stella Standingbear  ft. Destroy Kasmin (Prod. TipTIp & JeanSaintLaurent)

    Cuffed – Cuffed feat. Mato Wayuhi – Lakota Kikyo Elizabeth Skye (Oglala/Hunkpapha)

    Doc Native – Tear the Walls Down – Doc Native (Seminole)

    For The Time Being – Obnoxious -Indo Slim (Mescalero Apache)

    Life – Gotta Ride Away ft. Steve Chavez – G Precious (Ohkay Owingeh)

    Rolling Stone – Rolling Stone- Blue Flamez ft. Kaos (The Confederated Tribes Of Warm Springs Of Oregon )

    The Braid Remains – Nishnawb Hip Hop – – Shibastik (Moose Cree)

    Winyans & Mazaska – How We Livin’ feat. CrimeSpree, Maniac The Siouxpernatural & Brandis – Night Shield ( Rosebud Sioux)

    Zaagi’idiwin (There Tonight is on album) – Snag – Cody Coyote (Ojibwe from Matachewan First Nation)

    BEST ROCK RECORDING

    A Light In the Attic Deadman -Six Miles Logan Staats (Mohawk)

    Blood of the Fathers Blinded by the Hate -Blood of the Fathers You Break Me Damaged Hell Hole – Medicine Mann (Arawak)

    Blue Nova Happiness – Sacred Land – SpiritDance Raven Hernandez (Navajo)

    Born In The City Born In The City – Butterfly Wings Midnight Sparrows (Metis, Cree, Dene)

    Existence Is Resistance The Worlds Alive – Blackbird Feat John Popper 

    Indian Route 15 Indian Route 15 -Soul Searcher One Way Sky (Gila River)

    Lost Bird Good Condition -Teresa Suydam (Rosea River Band First Nation)

    Moments Moments – The Breakwater Band (Alutiiq)

    Stories From The Fire The 38 – War Cry Pretendians Band (Standing Rock Sioux)

    Whistles At Night Whistles at Night – 1876 – (Blackfeet)

    BEST TRADITIONAL ROOTS RECORDING

    Cowboy and Me Cowboy And Me – Heaven OldCoyote (Northern Arapaho)

    Hon Muru Hon Muru – Paah’tuu’wah Qatsi – Clark Tenakhongva, Gary Stroutsos, Matt Moon Nelson (Hopi)

    Indigenous InFLUTEnces Just-Roaming–feat.-Phillip-J.-Moore 

    Journey Continues Beauty You Showed Me -For D&C -Love Dance – Faran Sohappy (feat. Brotha Soul) (Yakama)

    Nocikiwikamikosihk (Where the Elders Dwelt) sâkihitowask (Love Medicine) – WT Goodspirit (Goodfish Lake First Nation)

    Omen Pisuppunga (Single) – Twin Flames (Inuit/Mohawk Kahnawà:ke)

    Sing. Pray. Love. Hear Our Prayers – Speak Cree, Love One Another – Joel Wood (Cree)

    Wastela Wastela – Tiana Spotted Thunder (Oglala)

    Winyan Tapejuta Coyote Wolf Song – Women’s Honoring -Pansy Hawk Wing (Oglala Sioux)

    World Champion Myanik Xe (Beautiful Music) [Remix] – Paul Steward (Pomo)

    NATIVE HEART

    Black Wolf Black Wolf – Steven Newton 

    Indigenous InFLUTEnces Buffalo-People – Mignon Geli 

    Indigenous InFLUTEnces, Vol. 2 Father-Sky- Mignon Geli

    Mile After Mile – Mile After Mile -Seekers – Carol Markstrom 

    The Last of the Mohicans Rise Up On Eagle Wings – Wolfsheart 

    Usti Usti (Cherokee Lullaby) – Shining Woman & Otsigeya (Cherokee)

    BEST MUSIC VIDEO

    Ava Rose Johnson “You Were Just a Dream” Official Video Sweet Home Oklahoma

    Callie Bennett Featuring Keith Secola REZ CHICK | Official Music Video | 

    City Indians (still in the Garden) –( Ft. Ki Earth Spirit)

    December Wind w/ Keith Secola “Imma Big Boy” Don Giovanni

    Elisapie – Uummati Attanarsimat (Heart of Glass) (Official Music Video)

    Hanna Andréa – Past Midnight (Official Music Video)

    Indian City – Broken (feat. Goody Grace) Official Music Video

    Jace Martin – Honour Song ((First Nation Ontario)

    Stella Standingbear – Home Runs (Official Music Video)

    Twin Flames – “Who I am” (Official Video)

    BEST MUSIC VIDEO ANIMATION & EFFECTS

    * – 9a (official music video)

    Bazille – “Wana Wacin” feat. Cody Blackbird (prod. by Stoic) Music Video

    i m e o n – H H O F [ ] 0

    Joe Lind  I’m a Smidge Crazy 

    Joey Stylez & Pete Sands – Holy Ghost *OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO (Directed By: Dark Shawn)

    Phyllis Sinclair If I Were a Bird (Unconditional Love Song) 

    Robin Cisek – Memories 

    Roger Kuhn, Velvet Code – Kaleidoscope (Official Music Video) So Fierce Music

    Teresa Suydam Good Condition | Official Lyric Video 

    Wolfsheart & Isabella – The Last of the Mohicans 

    BEST MUSIC VIDEO NARRATIVE

     Blue Mountain Tribe – Sacred Flowers

    Brando Price “Simplified” 

    Buffalo Weavers/Oyate Hotanin – Us, the Trees & Leaves Oyate Hotanin Us, the Trees & Leaves 

    Cody Coyote – There Tonight  

    Dawson Dayne – Better Days Directed by: Native Hustle 

    Logan Staats – Deadman 

    Mimi O’Bonsawin – Here’s To The Women 

    Paul Kavanagh – Blood of the Fathers

    Seminole Prince – Last Of A Dying Breed  

    Shibastik – The Braid Remains Shibastik – The Braid Remains

    We Are The Medicine – Max Cameo

    BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO 

    Artificial Red: Live At THe Heard Museum

    Dr. T – Blues Criminals – Standing here all alone

    G Precious – Angels on Your Pillow

    Gary Small & the Coyote’ Bros Wyoming IBC Champions 

    Jan Michael Looking Wolf and Native Rose – “Love! Hope! Peace!” LIVE at the PRAx

    Paul Steward & Band at Magazzino Gilgamesh,  15th Gilgamesh Blues Festival  

    Rickey Medlocke Never Run Out of Road – 

    The Blackbird Three “Metamorphosis” Live from Studio A 

    The Spiritual Warriors st’at’imc song video 720p

    War Bonnet – Bigfoot – Official Music Video

  • Pigkaso Releases Energetic Single And Music Video Ahead Of His Final Album

    Bronx native, hip-hop musician, and professional yo-yoer Richard Pigkaso has released the music video for “Ready, Set, Go,” alongside “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” ahead of the release of the album slated to be his final studio release.

    Born in Castle Hill in the Bronx, Richard Pigkaso has been influenced by old school Hip Hop and R&B since youth. Described as a loner and often set apart from the crowd for being marching to the beat of his own drum, Pigkaso found solace and joy in the yoyo. 

    “It became my creative outlet because I would always be alone – playing video games, going outside and not having many friends. I realized it became something calming for me. Something that allowed me to forget what was going on in my life at that point.”

    – Pigkaso

    Over time, playing with the classic toy grew from a simple hobby to an impressive skill he showed off in competitions across the United States- even qualifying in a few international meets. The joy of the yo-yo has never left Pigkaso’s heart, but since graduating from college he saw his horizons broadened with the exciting addition of music as a medium. 

    Pigkaso’s musical ventures have brought him incredible joy already, but with his upcoming release he hopes to expand his love for the yo-yo and channel his musical roots through a message of love and support for those who struggle to find acceptance within themselves.

    Lusus Naturae 3: You’re Beautiful Gorgeous is set to be Pigkaso’s final studio album as an artist, the culmination of both his image as the humble and charismatic yo-yoer and the ambitious emcee inextricably tied to the Bronx.

    With a hard-hitting beat and one piece of the culminating lyrical royale that is the album, “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” will excite old listeners and new with its hard-hitting sound.

    In addition to the release of “Wanna Play With My Yo-Yo?” is the publication of the official music video for “Ready, Set, Go,” fittingly utilizing sharp editing tricks and an overarching race car driving theme.

    Pigkaso’s final studio release Lusus Naturae 3: You’re Beautiful Gorgeous, the culmination of his multidisciplinary skill as a yo-yoer and musician, will release on November 15, 2024. 

    To learn more about Pigkaso, his past work, and all future ventures, check out his official website here.

  • Symphony Space To Host 44th Annual John Lennon Tribute With Kenny Loggins

    Symphony Space will celebrate love, life, and John Lennon with Kenny Loggins and other music acts during their 44th Annual Benefit Tribute as a part of their 2024-25 season.

    A multi-disciplinary performing arts center, Symphony Space was founded and functions under the belief that the arts transcend barriers, bringing communities together by celebrating both similarities and differences. 

    Known for their wide array of programming including but not limited to Selected Shorts, their immersive Wall to Wall concerts, and their Global Arts education initiative, Symphony Space boasts a full slate of original, affordable, and free programming that fosters the arts through all disciplines. 

    Among many talents and events featured on Symphony Space’s 2024-25 music season is the time honored John Lennon Tribute, now in its 44th year. Two-time Grammy Award winner Kenny Loggins will grace the stage for an evening of his favorite Lennon and Beatles Classics, and will be the recipient of the 2024 John Lennon Real Love Award.

    In addition to Loggins, the night will feature performances from Joan Osborne, Jimmy Vivino, The Kennedys, Chrissi Poland, Martha Redbone, Everett Bradley, and Music Director Rich Pagano. 

    All proceeds from the Lennon tribute will support the Theatre Within initiative. Creators of the John Lennon Real Love Project, Theatre Within provides free workshops in creative expression and mindfulness for folks of all ages that have been impacted by cancer. Notably, they bring the music and mindset of John Lennon to life in elementary and middle school classrooms in an award-winning songwriting workshop and program.

    The 44th Annual John Lennon Tribute will be hosted on Saturday, December 7. For more information on how to attend and ticket purchasing, visit the event page here.

    The rest of Symphony Space’s 2024 lineup is host to a series of impressive acts including but not limited to queer pop musician and filmmaker Be Steadwell, recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award, National Book Award, and the 2024 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction James McBride, Grammy-winning New Orleans Rebirth Brass Band, multi-instrumental and vocalist artists in residence Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman, and 1920s jazz inspired The Squirrel Nut Zippers in a Christmas Caravan show.

    The center will open the 2025 year with critically acclaimed blues and folks artist Queen Esther and continue with acts like the Arun Ramamurthy Trio, the “elegantly gritty” Big Lazy, award-winning Black folk interpreter Jake Blount, fusion act Metropolitan Klezmer, the Broadway legend Patti LuPone herself, the lively Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Country Band, Tony Trischka’s tribute to Earl Scruggs, and raga jazz fusion ensemble Falsa in addition to the return of some of their resident artists.

    For further details on their entire 2024-25 season, how to attend, and the artists featured, visit Symphony Space’s official website here.

  • American Ballet Theatre Studio Company to Perform at Binghamton University

    American Ballet Studio Company, the junior company of American Ballet Theatre, will be performing on Binghamton University’s stage on November 9.

    if it ain’t BA-ROQUE by Hope Boykin, photo by Rosalie O’Connor

    Composed of 12-18 rising stars in the ballet world ranging from ages 17 to 21, the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company is a highly mobile unit of the next generation of ballet greats. 

    Hailing from all over the globe, the ABT Studio Company members are in preparation to enter the professional ballet world, whether that be with American Ballet Theatre or other leading ballet companies worldwide.

    Nearly 80% of the current dancers in American Ballet Theatre are alumni of ABT Studio Company, including eight soloists and 14 principal dancers- notable names including Misty Copeland, Isabella Boylston, and Calvin Royal III.

    Having performed masterworks, contemporary pieces, and newly commissioned custom ballets around the world, the ABT Ballet Theatre celebrates the excellence of female choreographers throughout their work. Recent years have brought the group to stages in London, Athens, Manila, Hong Kong, and St. Petersburg in a mixed bag of performing arts centers, college campuses, festivals, and galas.

    Dying Swan by Michel Fokine, featuring Aleisha Walker – photo by Erin Baino

    On November 9, the ABT Ballet Theatre’s global travels will bring them to Binghamton University’s own Anderson Center for the Performing Arts. For one night only students, staff, and visitors alike will be able to experience the talent of ballet’s next greats in the flesh.

    Tickets for the unforgettable night of dance are available now, with general public prices starting at just $25. In addition to select discounts, ticket prices for students and children have been cut to just $10 for any seat in the house. For more information and ticket purchasing, visit the Anderson Center Box Office’s website here.

  • Brigid Hart Offers A Guide to Living

    Indie folk artist and Queens native Brigid Hart explores every step of picking yourself back up after the unimaginable in her debut album A How to Guide: Living With the Shame.

    Brigid Hart

    Born and raised in Queens, Brigid Hart is an indie folk artist who has been weaving her emotions into sound since she was only 10 years old. Having consistently composed, recorded, and released songs since then, Brigid is now a part of the Studio Composition program at SUNY Purchase where she explores and develops her musical skill even further.

    Released in 2023, her six track EP I’d Be Just Fine was born out of a partnership with Ben Cuomo and Shanne Garcia formed through her Studio Composition studies. Among her studies and professional ventures, Hart has been performing alongside her band in venues, clubs, backyards, gardens, colleges, and even camp festivals throughout New York State. 

    Her sophomore year’s work culminated in her second major collaboration with Ben Cuomo, her debut album A How to Guide: Living with the Shame. Formed among the spaces of the SUNY Purchase campus that caught their interest the most alongside a myriad of friends and peers on the harp, violin, mandolin, drums, and more, Brigid’s debut album captures the raw honesty and emotion nestled within her artistry.

    A How to Guide: Living with the Shame is a deeply vulnerable piece that explores the effects an experience of sexual assault has on relationships afterwards. Hart’s expression of heartbreak and sadness through the album’s instrumentals is counterbalanced by her witty and self-aware lyrics, creating a balanced and personable listening experience. 

    “Brigid’s vocals float above the bed of sound created by her finger-picked guitar in open tunings. In both of these projects she managed to keep an intimate and lulling atmosphere while also having dense and unapologetic arrangements that maintain the illusion of Brigid sitting right in front of you.”

    – Ben Cuomo

    Accompanying the album’s release was the adjacent music video for the ninth track, “Before the Leaves Fall.” A recording of Brigid singing the track alone at a bar is interspersed with personal home-style moments of stillness and double-exposure clips of nature that capture the same gentle warmth felt in the track’s instrumental.

    Returning once more to the SUNY Purchase campus, Brigid is working towards her second album to be released in the summer of 2025. The gentle folk sound Hart has developed thus far will be intertwined with a new indie rock approach as she once more expands her repertoire in exciting ways.

    To keep up with the latest updates on her upcoming project and all other endeavors, follow Brigid Hart here.

  • Whiskey Pickle Venue Announces Triumphant Re-Opening

    Beloved Troy bar and live music venue Whiskey Pickle has just announced their reopening under new management after their closure this past September.

    Whisky pickle

    Known and loved for their uniquely intimate and laid-back atmosphere with an impressive menu and a lively dance scene to boot, Whiskey Pickle quickly became a favorite of many Troy locals after their opening in 2021. Widely appreciated for its warm and social atmosphere that drew folks from near and afar in, it’s no wonder why their sudden announcement of the venue’s immediate closure in late September took many by surprise. 

    Posted to the bar’s official social media accounts, the announcement signed by owners James and Erin explained that “The cost of making the Pickle into one of the most popular destinations in the capital region has been more than we can even describe… The Pickle would not have been anything as cool as it was without the people that sat on our unmatched bar stools and helped changed our lives.”

    Folks from all walks of life paid their respects in the comments of these posts, a shared sentiment between individual testimonies and heartwarming stories being that Whiskey Pickle had rapidly become a Troy staple that would be a sore loss for the community at large. 

    September 27 seemed to mark the end of Whiskey Pickle for good… until a mysterious and seasonally appropriate image of a zombie hand emerging from the grave was posted to both the venue’s Instagram and Facebook accounts on October 31. Paired with the ominous yet exciting caption “Nothing stays dead forever…”, the announcement was met with widespread tentative excitement.

    Then, on November 4, the official news broke– the Whiskey Pickle would be revived under new management, with a promise for the bar to return bigger and better than ever.

    The announcement outlines the upcoming changes to the venue, which would act more as an update and expansion than a total reinvention of the space so many had come to know and love. This primarily comes with the news that the torch of management is to be passed to Jamel Mosely, fittingly described as “a staple of the capital region community.” 

    With an expansive resume of performance, multimedia production, and one of the minds behind Troy-based marketing firm Collectiveffort, it’s safe to say that the beloved drink, dance, and hangout venue is in good hands. 

    “He’s one of the most genuine human beings we know, and we know that the values we built this place around will continue to live on under Jamel’s team and leadership.”

    The Whiskey Pickle Management

    In true Pickle fashion, the Whiskey Pickle will re-open on November 7 with a Tiki Night party hosted by James, Erin, and Jamel with musical support form DJ Intell Hayesfield and other special guests. The Pickle will celebrate the local cornerstone’s triumphant return starting at 6:00 PM that night, with much more on future events and the venue’s formal transition to come.

    To join in the celebration as a longtime fan or newcomer all the same, check out their party announcement above in addition to their official website here.

  • Gracie Lou Releases Nostalgic Second Single “September”

    New York City-based indie singer-songwriter and star of Hulu’s Claim to Fame Season 3 Gracie Lou has released her second single, “September.”

    Gracie Lou

    Born in California, Gracie Lou Hyland grew up in a home utterly immersed in music. Her parents are both talented singer-songwriters who were once a part of New York unit Girlfriend, which cultivated a love for all things musical in Gracie Lou from an early age. 

    She spent her younger years performing alongside her parents in their worship band and on the stage with her local church choir, alongside a notable nearly decade-long career in competitive figure skating.

    In 2017, Gracie joined the ranks of the Young American College of Performing Arts and spent time touring globally, sharing her passion for music education with countless cultures across the map. The pandemic provided a turning point and quite a bit of newfound downtime, which led Gracie to the guitar. Picking up the instrument on her own and a songwriting venture to boot, Gracie Lou discovered an online resonance with her music that allowed her musical career to begin to bloom.

    Relocating to New York City in 2022 to assist her grandmother Gretchen Cryer with the musical “House On Fire,” Gracie took the stage for the first time as a solo singer-songwriter at Rockwood Music Hall in October of 2023.

    In addition to her solo ventures, Gracie Lou can be found performing with vintage jazz trio The Satin Dollz, touring as a front and backing vocalist with The Chiclettes, and providing her voice on tour with the Oldies Circuit which notably hosts member Bobby Wilson, son of the legendary Jackie Wilson. Lou is also the co-founder of the “Girl Dinner” all-female cabaret and variety show that celebrates women in the arts.

    She recently made a notable appearance on hit Hulu show Claim to Fame hosted by Kevin and Frankie Jonas in which the competitors are challenged with guessing each other’s celebrity relatives, Gracie’s being her uncle- the well-known actor, comedian, and filmmaker Jon Cryer. It was on Claim to Fame where Gracie dazzled television audiences with a performance of an original song.

    Soon following was the release of Gracie Lou’s debut single, “to have & to hold.” Self-written, sung, and produced, the track set an exciting precedent for her solo career and capabilities. After the success of her first song officially released to the public, Gracie has returned with her newest track, “September.”

    With twinkling piano, the distant hum of crickets, and warm strings, Gracie paints a glowing image of the last bits of warmth held in the month of September. Her utilizations of indie lyricism, jazz homeliness, and folk twang meld perfectly with her hopeful wonderings about what awaits her at the end of the month and how she hopes to change, even if it isn’t a fully formed image quite yet.

    “I wrote this during the first month I moved to New York, when nothing in my life felt solid and the future was uncertain. I was tentatively hopeful.”

    – Gracie Lou

    Following the release of “September,” Gracie will be appearing for a special guest performance on November 20 at fellow musician Blair Lamb’s show at Sanger Hall in Queens. For more information on the show and ticket purchasing, visit Blair’s post about the evening here.

    “September” by Gracie Lou is out now. To learn more about the track, watch an archive of her performances, and keep up to date with her latest musical ventures, visit her official website here.

  • The Giraffes Release Eighth Album With Tongue-In-Cheek “Million Year Old Song”  Video

    Brooklyn based rock unit The Giraffes have released their eighth album Cigarette, accompanied by an adventurously witty music video for the track “Million Year Old Song.”

    Formed in 1996, The Giraffes have developed a unique sound self-described as “a hedonistic soundtrack”- it’s loud, dangerous, funny, complex, and unapologetically themselves. Mostly recognized for their trademark metal-tinged scuzz-rock, The Giraffes craft a unique blend of heavy rock, punk and post-punk, surf, and any array of other sounds that strike their fancy.

    Comprised of lead singer Aaron Lazar, guitarist Damien Paris, drummer Andrew Totolos, and bassist Hannah Moorhead, the unit has made a name for themselves as one of the most unbridled acts to grace Brooklyn’s stages and beyond with their fierce musicality, fun-loving attitude, and dedicated fanbase.

    In addition to their local draw, The Giraffes have toured alongside acts like Eagles of Death Metal, Local-H, The Vacation, and Skeleton Key. They’ve also performed alongside and in support of names including but not limited to Interpol, Fishbone, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, and The Strokes– not to mention having scored various festival slots across the globe on the stages of SXSW, Bonnaroo, Amsterjam, and more.

    Debuting with ‘Fransquilt’, The Giraffes have created quite the history for themselves. Now five years, seven albums, and countless achievements later, the band is back with their latest release, Cigarette.

    Described as a “hypnotic hard-edged psychedelic rock score for our current age of decay and disappointment, fear and fury, idiocy and hope,” Cigarette delivers the same sharp grit and dexterity fans know and love while simultaneously taking new risks with excitingly adventurous composition and subject matter.

    Recorded and engineered by Andrew Totolos, mixed by Grammy nominated producer Francisco Botero at the iconic Studio G Brooklyn and James Dellatacoma at Orange Music Sound Studio, Cigarette is a triumphant return for the band- especially as bassist Moorhead has joined the lineup in songwriting and backing vocals, allowing the group to settle the line-up and hone in on songwriting even further.

    The final single released for Cigarette comes in the form of “Million Year Old Song,” which tackles both the nostalgia held by older generations for the relentless liveliness of being in your 20s and the dire state of today’s world in a fascinating blend of rebellious rock and roll nihilism- hence the phrase “a million year old song in twenty year old lungs.”

    “I wanted to not be a total old man stuck looking back at my youth so I imagined someone my kid’s age hitting 20 and what the world will look like for them for the second verse. This protagonist has the power of youth but in a much more dire world. I believe that the animating spirit of “rock n roll” or whatever is that self-destructive imperative for fun at all costs. Interesting to think of what that will look like later on down the line.  The song remains the same – just the world changes.”

    – Aaron Lazar

    Alongside “Million Year Old Song” came the release of its official music video, which pushes the song’s core concepts to the extreme in an over-the-top absurdist critique and deception of modern America. Between American flag get-ups, thrashes in pools (also red, white, and blue) filled with dollar bills and skeletons, and what can only be described as a cinema-worthy blood bath involving subs and giraffe masks, the music video created and directed by Damien Paris is an absolute must-watch.

    The full seven-track album Cigarette by The Giraffes is out now, and the track list is below. To find out more about The Giraffes and keep up with their latest endeavors, check out their official website here.

    TRACK LIST

    1. Baby Pictures
    2. Pipes
    3. Limping Horse
    4. Dead Bird
    5. Million Year Old Song
    6. The Shot
    7. Lazarus

  • Judge Dismisses Majority of Lawsuit Claims Against Forest Hills Stadium

    Justice Joseph Esposito has dismissed 5 out of 7 lawsuit claims against the historic Forest Hills Stadium in Queens.

    Forest Hills Stadium Lawsuit
    Hozier – Forest Hills Stadium, July 2024 – photo by Molly Higgins

    Entrenched in Queens’ music scene and culture for just over 100 years now, the Forest Hills Stadium is a cornerstone of New York City’s live music scene. The only outdoor venue of its kind and size in the area, Forest Hills was designed with the ideal audience experience in mind. 

    With optimized acoustics and no obstructed views, the 13,000 capacity Stadium was originally designed to house the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Forest Hills began booking concerts in the 1960s, and the rest is history.

    The venue’s lengthy history isn’t without its bumps along the way, however. The arena has been a topic of long-standing debate for folks living in Forest Hill. The general sentiment shared by people living in close quarters to the venue is a desire to at minimum alter the space’s practices and at most close its doors for continued complaints of noise pollution and littering. 

    Frequent complaints include excessive trash found strewn about in public for days after each show and volumes so loud that the windows on houses as far as three blocks away from the Stadium shake during performances. These concerns were met with cooperation from Forest Hills Stadium, with rectifying policies ranging from employing cleaners on the street before, during, and after shows to hundreds of thousands of dollars being invested in noise mitigation and controlled amplification.

    Forest Hills Stadium Lawsuit

    A lawsuit filed by the Forest Hills Garden Corporation against Forest Hills Stadium and its parent company West Side Tennis Club filed in 2023 nearly spelled the end of the venue. The lawsuit outlined a total of seven individual causes of action, including claims of contract violation between the tennis club and the FHGC, trespassing, zoning violations with unjust profit, and both public and private nuisance claims.

    However, on Monday, October 21, Queens County Supreme Court Justice Joseph Esposito issued a motion to dismiss all but two of the motions raised. A major win for those working with the venue and lovers of live music in New York alike, the Stadium’s final few shows of their 2024 concert season will go on. It’s likely that the venue will return with a new calendar of events in the spring given the remaining lawsuits conclude.

    While a massive success, Forest Hills Stadium isn’t out of the woods just yet. The final two claims remaining are that of private and public nuisance. Justice Esposito stated that the FHGC had a claim sufficient enough to survive the initial motion to dismiss, which now must be proven with further evidence and testimonial. 

    Attorney Akiva Shapiro, representing the Stadium, stated that the venue’s legal team is “confident that the remaining claims will also be dismissed.”

  • Kingston Pop Museum Presents New Mid-Century Pop Culture Exhibit “Granny Takes A Trip”

    The Kingston Pop Museum has announced its newest exhibit “Granny Takes A Trip” containing mid-century pop culture pieces from museum owner and curator John Stavros’ private collection on display and for sale for the first time ever.

    Acting as a gallery space, event venue, and private museum collection, the Kingston Pop Museum hosts a variety of owner and curator John Stravos’ endeavors, including but not limited to fashion, art, music, sports, entertainment, private events, and productions all under one roof. 

    In addition to its incredibly unique collection, the Kingston Pop Museum offers management, promotions, marketing, hospitality, and more to artists and creatives. The gallery’s adjacent retail merchandise store, the Pop Shop, acts as another venue for independent creatives to promote and sell their works as well.

    KPM’s newest endeavor, an eclectic gallery full of bright colors and vibrant personality, has just been announced- “Granny Takes A Trip.” Connecting the nostalgic love and wisdom imparted by grandmas living it up in the mid-1900s era that put peace and love above all else with the unique, beautifully odd, and otherwise trippy visual culture that developed adjacent to the time, “Granny Takes A Trip” is a sparkling adventure through time.

    Spanning works from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, pieces on display encapsulate the initial spark created by iconic figures of the time in art, music, and fashion that would later catch on as the revolutionary Glam Mod scene as cultivated by the era’s rebellious youth.

    This particular energy is captured in Stavros’ impressive personal collection, dozens of which will be on display during “Granny Takes A Trip.” Some of the most exciting works include Andy Warhol’s letter of rejection to the MoMA, one of the very few complete collections in the US of all four highly coveted Beatles dolls, and furniture belonging to pop-culture industry titans like the former manager of KISS Bill Aucoin and founder of Penthouse Bob Guccione.

    Visitors can also be on the lookout for several pieces of rock ‘n roll memorabilia, such as four custom-painted Volkswagens- including a Westfalia camper that belonged to the road manager of the Dave Matthews Band, and much more.

    “Granny Takes A Trip” will open on Saturday, November 16 at 4:00 PM with an exciting special evening of art and music planned to celebrate. An international group art exhibit will cohabitate with the main exhibit’s work alongside live performances from Ramona Lane of New Paltz and New York City locals SoulCake, Walter G. Steding, Mark Hawdon, and Puma Perl + Joe Sztabnik.

    For more information on “Granny Takes A Trip,” how to visit, and all things Kingston Pop Museum, visit their website here.