After playing a successful show at the Huntington Paramount days ago, Dirty Honey brought their “Can’t Find The Breaks” tour to Foxwoods Casino.
Supporting Dirty Honey was St. Louis natives The Band Feel. The night was the perfect revival of rock and roll by two young and hungry bands.
Between the hustle and bustle of the casino floor, the Great Cedar Showroom sits in the back. But, an hour away from showtime, fans were lining up at the merchandise booth to pick up memorabilia. This is Dirty Honey’s first time in Connecticut since their March 27, 2022 show at Toads Place. But, before the Los Angeles natives took the stage, at 8:00 sharp, The Band Feel jumped on stage. Due to the casino curfew, they had a shortened setlist.
Even though The Band Feel’s setlist was short, they didn’t let it deter them from introducing fans to their music. The quartet dressed as if the band was born in the 1970’s and their music matched. They played six songs that – by the end of the set – won the crowd over.
The quartet features T.J. Steinwart on drums, Tyler Armstrong on guitar, Garret Barcus on lead vocals and Kadin Rea on bass. The four-man group channeled in callings of the Golden Age of rock and roll. It’s easy to see why Dirty Honey would bring them on tour. A young band in Dirty Honey is giving another younger band (The Band Feel) a chance at a national tour and getting the word out there that rock and roll is here to stay.
After a stage change, quickly, AC/DC’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation” blasted on the speakers and Dirty Honey made their triumphant return to Connecticut. This was the first time that fans in the area could get a look at new drummer Jaydon Bean. Bean took over for original drummer Corey Coverstone after their debut record. With new songs in their arsenal, the band fully attacked the fans in the Great Cedar Showroom with material from their new record. It was refreshing to hear the band play music from their entire category and not strictly off one album or EP.
Joining Bean was singer Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto and bassist Justin Smolian. The latter three were the three original members of the band and have been the longest-tenured.
Their new material sounded great. As they plowed through their set, they alternated between older material and new songs. LaBelle’s vocals sounded just like the actual record. If you closed your eyes during the show, you could have been tricked that someone flipped on the record. They sounded great live.
Something new that has been incorporated in this show – which did not happen at the Toads Place show – was the band extending songs and jamming. During one of their classic songs, “Scars” they added an awesome extended jam. To see Dirty Honey get more comfortable exploring their music and adding diversity and freshness to their music is amazing.
Like The Band Feel, Dirty Honey dressed straight out of the 1970’s. It was almost like a crossover between The Black Crowes and Aerosmith. Also, their influences of classic rock and roll could be heard seeping through in their music.
One of the songs off the new record, Can’t Find The Breaks that was one of the standouts of the evening was “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire).” Before the song started LaBelle announced to the audience that his father and some of his hometown friends were in the audience. During the song, it was extremely quiet, you could hear a pin drop. The audience was transfixed by the acoustic song that captivated the entire theater.
Immediately after “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire),” they plunged into a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman.” This received a massive roar from the audience. Throughout the night, their logo blinked to the beat of the song creating a visual spectacle.
From the moment that the band got on stage to the moment that they sang their last song, they did not rest or slow down. Notto was running, duck-walking and arm-swinging the entire night. The smile on his face never waned as fans in front of him cheered and put up the rock and roll horns all night long.
Even though the lower bowl of the theater had seats, fans treated it like a general admission. For Dirty Honey’s entire set, they were standing, clapping and cheering. Fans and high rollers who sat in the front merged up against the stage to take a closer look at the band.
Dirty Honey is one of those generational bands that help revive a genre of music. The way they channel classic rock sounds and put elegant, modern twists on them is unforgettable. Even though this is their final leg of the tour supporting their new album, when the chance comes, you have to see them. Every year, their loyal following grows. It will be only a matter of time before they upgrade to the biggest venues in your area.
The Band Feel setlist: Find a Love, Call It What You Want, G Rock, What of Now, Goodbye Virginia, In The Garden
Dirty Honey setlist: Can’t Find the Breaks, California Dreamin’, Heartbreaker, Down the Road, Scars, Dirty Mind, Tied Up, Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire), Honey Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones cover), Don’t Put Out the Fire, The Wire, Another Last Time, When I’m Gone, You Make It All Right, Won’t Take Me Alive, Rolling 7s
Synonymous with quirky lyrics and dreams of being rich, The Barenaked Ladies brought their “In Flight” tour to Rochester on Wednesday, October 2. Passengers on this tour are fellow 90’s alt-rock band, Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Quietly gaining a strong following since 1986, Toad the Wet Sprocket has released seven studio albums and has had solid success on the pop charts with hits like “All I Want,” “Good Intentions,” and “Walk on The Ocean”. Playing for about 45 minutes, Glen Phillips and crew serenaded the sellout crowd as they filed to their seats to see the Canadian headliners.
Jamming through a 12-song set, lead singer Phillips is joined on stage by Dean Dinning on bass and rhythm guitar, Todd Nichols on guitar and mandolin, Josh Daubin on percussion, and Jonathan Kingham on keys.
After a brief delay in set up, Barenaked Ladies took the stage for nearly 2,000 fans shortly before 9pm. Starting out with “One Night” and 2003’s “Testing 1,2,3,” Ed Roberston and team were quickly thrown off script as there were more issues with sound, mostly with Jim Creegan’s bass. Luckily for them and the enthusiastic audience, BNL kept the show going as if nothing was wrong. Some ad-libs, a little magic trick and banter with bandmates paired with a less scary rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” kept the fans entertained.
With the sound issues taken care of, Robertson along with Tyler Stewart on drums, Jim Creegan on bass, and Kevin Hearn on keys rocked through their 19-song set, with tracks from nearly every album, dating back to 1992’s Gordon.
With nobody exempt from the wit of Robertson, including Robin the sound guy, “History Of Everything” theme from the Big Bang theory began with a jab at the opening band. While thanking Toad The Wet Sprocket for being on tour, he brags that although they are amazing in their own right, they don’t have a TV theme song.
Having been around for over 30 years, many like myself, will recall a time when fans would bring in boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to heave during the set, as they belted out “If I Had a $1,000,000.” Those days are long gone, but the days of fan screaming out lyrics remain. With some guidance from Robertson, tonight was no different. Right on cue, the crowd gave BNL exactly what he wanted, minus the dijon ketchup.
If I had a million dollars We wouldn’t have to eat Kraft Dinner But we would eat Kraft Dinner Of course we would, we’d just eat more
Rounding out the classic, quirky set, the guys came out for a two song encore of “Tonight is The Night I Fell Asleep at The Wheel” and “Lovin Life.” The latter couldn’t have been better song to end the night, speaking about lovin’ the life you have and making the most of it, no matter what happens.
Nearly 40 years, 17 studio albums, and millions of downloads later, Barenaked Ladies are still the goofy band from Canada that loves to have fun on stage and can make even a rough start (thanks, Robin) turn into a night of improv and laugher from start to finish. Make sure you go check them out if you haven’t already seen Barenaked Ladies.
Toad the Wet Sprocket setlist: Come Down, California Wasted, Inside, Transient Whales, Nanci, Good Intentions, The Moment, Walk on The Ocean, Nightingale Song, Something’s Always Wrong, Fall Down, All I Want
Barenaked Ladies setlist: One Night, Testing 1-2-3, Thriller (M. Jackson cover), For You, The Old Apartment, Big Back Yard, Boomerang, Just Wait, Toe to Toe, Brian Wilson, Fifty for a While, Aluminum, Pinch Me, Odds Are, History of Everything (Big Bang Theory theme), One Week, If I Had $1000000, Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep at The Wheel, Lovin’ Life
Ed Robertson – Barenaked LadiesBarenaked LadiesKevin Hearn – Barenaked LadiesHearn and RobertsonTyler Stewart – Barenaked LadiesJim Creegan Barenaked LadiesTyler Stewart – Barenaked LadiesEd Robertson – Barenaked LadiesKevin Hearn – Barenaked LadiesTyler Stewart – Barenaked LadiesKevin Hearn – Barenaked LadiesJim Creegan Barenaked Ladies
Brooklyn-based experimental musicians Desvelada and Sprælle have released their first joint EP, escaping from the body of a sleeping hummingbird on label Contain, a podcast and multi-media project based in Austin and Los Angeles.
Artwork for ‘escaping from the body of a sleeping hummingbird.’
Born from Austin’s fledgling experimental music scene, Sprælle’s art rock beginnings and distended guitar and production work fold lovingly into Desvelada’s choir upbringing and live vocal processing to create a unique feeling of uncertainty and discomfiture.
The 5-song EP moves through obscure, sometimes painful natural landscapes – it feels like the pair are here to ask questions to which there are no answers. On opening track épié (‘spied’) Desvelda and Sprælle wade with us through a treacle of confused dreamscape. Who is spying? Who are they spying on?
The pair say of their work that “spare synth bass and mournful drones create for us a hinterland of abandoned narratives, of characters unsure or unaware or unwilling to see that they are ghosts, but carrying with them a fatigued and defiant air of hope throughout.” épié’s lyrics compound this sense of ambiguity:
in the labyrinth of my mind (I dreamt of you) / what else is there? / you burn in my being / there is nothing more to say.
The EP sounds like a kind of reverie of the natural world, or at least some version of it. In tree up ahead, birdsong floats overhead while we, perhaps like the rivers referred to earlier in turn to talk, meander slowly into an anarchic canon of Desvelada’s voice. It feels like the pair want to remind us of the chaos of the natural world and our influence on it.
Desvelada and Sprælle (photo credit: Anthony Flores)
Turn to talk is the project’s most joyous moment, spending some minutes finding its feet before slowly expanding into a blissful release. But it is a tentative release, as if the pair are afraid of having whatever it is they have nurtured snatched away again. The production is generally sparse throughout, with playful and sometimes surprising use of pads and tones that you might expect to hear in 80s productions.
Desvelada and Spraelle cite Tricky (of Massive Attack), Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Berman as influences. This eclecticism underpins the music, with each song carrying a resistance to containment reflecting the natural world that Desvelada and Spraelle want us to think about.
While asleep, hummingbirds enter a state of torpor – some kind of hibernation – where their body temperature can drop by as much as 50 degrees. Is this how Desvelada and Sprælle feel? Does this torpor reflect, in their eyes, the state of the natural world, as humans encroach inch by mile? Is escaping from the body our only option left?
Tuesday, October 1st saw The Red Clay Strays and The Glorious Sons make a stop at Brooklyn Paramount on their “These Moments Tour,” playing a sold-out show to almost 3,000 fans.
The Glorious sons are a rock band based in Ontario with Brooklyn Paramount their first show on the “These Moments Tour,” singing their most popular songs and sharing the story’s behind creating each song with each other.
The Glorious Sons were the perfect opening act as few fans knew them prior, but after hearing them live, the audience was drawn in by songs like “My Poor Heart” and “Pink Motel” and became new Glorious Sons fans.
The Red Clay Strays are a country rock from Mobile, Alabama who gained popularity with their hit single “Wondering Why,” a song about the bands commitment to their music and success and the toll it has taken on their romantic relationships. The song opens with the stark contrast between the protagonists and two lovers upbringings. The chorus shows the amount of love this person has for the protagonist as they just sit back and allow the band members to follow their dreams, all left “Wondering Why.” Red Clay Strays have since put out another album and have been touring around the world sharing their unique music.
Brandon Coleman (lead singer) shared a story of them previously performing at Brooklyn Paramount to a very small crowd, yet this time performing to a sold-out crowd. Throughout the show you could see the band’s passion for the music they are creating together, each song having a meaning and backstory related to the band’s history.
The Glorious Sons Setlist: My Poor Heart, White Noise, Josie, Mama, Mercy, Mercy, Kill the Lights, S.O.S (Sawed Off Shotgun), Ruby, Pink Motel
The Red Clay Strays Setlist: Ramblin’, Moment of Truth, Stone’s Throw, Disaster, Good Godly Woman, Heavy Heart, Between the Lines, Drowning, Devil in my Ear, Sunshine, Ghosts, I’ll Drown in My Tears (Sonny Thompson Cover), No one Else Like Me, I’m Still Fine, Doin’ Time, Will the Lord Remember Me, God Does, Moments, Wondering Why, Don’t Care
Western New York alternative rock band Uncle Ben’s Remedy have released their sixth album, Saturday Night Swindle.
Rooted in the small towns of Western New York, Uncle Ben’s Remedy provides lively performances and unparalleled storytelling to their enthusiastic fanbase throughout the area. With a fascinating blend of punk rock energy and the twang of swampy-backcountry alternative rock, members Ben Westlund, Harmony Griffin, Shawn Huestis, Brendan O’Connor, and Josh Mullin deliver riveting performances of catchy songs and rowdy theatrics time and time again.
Uncle Ben’s Remedy has returned once more with their newest release, Saturday Night Swindle. Their sixth release since their debut in 2014, the path to this album was not an easy one. With a drummer swap due to their previous decades-long partner having to pass the baton from tinnitus and the recovery of their soundman/busdriver after a bout of cancer, Saturday Night Swindle has certainly been an emotional one to produce- a testament to the band’s dedication to one another and the music they share.
A masterful entwining of rock, blues, and country sounds, Saturday Night Swindle captures the listener in an indescribable experience of understanding. Perhaps through the emotionally charged lyrics, or the effortlessly moving instrumentals; whatever the reason, Uncle Ben’s Remedy brings you into a conversation that can only be truly communicated through sound. Strings, keys, drums, guitar, horns, vocals that perfectly toe the line between southern twang and alternative rock, and more culminate in Saturday Night Swindle.
Opening with the narrative-focused “Never Get Caught,” Uncle Ben’s Remedy perfectly balances the story unfolding in the lyrics with kicking instrumentals that perfectly set the tone for the rest of the album, one that promises to take you along for an exciting six track adventure.
On “From The Outside” and “While Back”, the band leans into the more rock-influenced-country aspect of their sound. “From The Outside” takes on a cowboy on the frontier attitude paired with a concluding echoing duet that reinforces this feeling, the narrator refusing to listen to the words of those meant to tear them down as they trek towards their future unflinchingly.
“Heartbreaker’s Heart,” leans full-in to the country twang energy with a bright tone and layers upon layers of guitar and strings that practically beg to be stomped along to, and Uncle Ben’s Remedy follows this immediately with “Liquor Wrote These Records”, the kind of song that starts off hard-hitting and concludes by pulling you to the dance floor with an infectious liveliness you can’t refuse.
The album closes out with “Coming To The Show,” a deeply vulnerable track that perfectly explains why it’s never just music to artists like themselves, wrapping the project in a bow of self-assurance and careful optimism that leaves listeners with a sense of satisfying completion.
Saturday Night Swindle is out now. To learn more about Uncle Ben’s Remedy their newest release, and future endeavors, visit their website here.
Albany buzzed with excitement from beyond the solar system as Big Something and Consider the Source brought their signature high-octane and other-worldly grooves to Albany on a brisk Wednesday night, October 2, as part of the Headspace 2024 Tour.
Lark Hall, recently revitalized by the set designers of HBO’s The Gilded Age, provided an intimate yet stunning backdrop for the night of sonic exploration and some seriously heady jams.
Ready for Blast-Off: Big Something and Consider the Source bought the Headspace tour to Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
NYC’s Consider the Source kicked off the evening, captivating the audience with their intricate fusion of sci-fi inspired progressive rock, jazz, and world music. The dynamic power trio, comprised of virtuoso guitarist Gabriel Marin, bassist John Ferrara, and drummer Jeff Mann, delivered an exhilarating performance that showcased both their next-level musicianship as well as their entire new album, The Stare, which was released in mid-September. The band had previous played Lark in April of 2022 as part of their intimate acoustic hybrid run, but on this night, it was straight balls-to-the-wall electric.
Bassist John Ferrara, and drummer Jeff Mann performing with Consider the Source in Albany on 10/2/24.
Continuing to push the boundaries of instrumental music with complex time signatures and intricate melodies, songs like “Trial By Stone” and “Mouthbreather” shook the venue to its core with their heaviness, while simultaneously creating a sonic tapestry that was both captivating and challenging to the listener.
From Marin’s expressive and distinctive double-neck guitar playing, to Ferrara’s melodic and thunderous finger-tapping bass solos, to Mann’s exceptionally creative drum fills, Consider the Source was firing on all cylinders at Lark Hall and it showed.
Treating the audience to spellbinding renditions of “Preemptive Vengeance” and “Unfulfilled and Alienated,” the intricate interplay between each member created a cosmic journey that resonated with both the soul and the mind. If you haven’t seen this band play before, you really need to. Helping the audience slip into the perfect headspace for what was still to come, Consider the Source was an excellent choice to kick the party off proper.
Watch fan shot footage of Consider the Source perfomring “Unfulfilled and Alienated” at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Transitioning to Big Something’s headlining set with a glorious circus-like introduction by crew member William, the colorful Burlington, North Carolina six-piece band delivered a masterclass in genre-blending with their unique brand of space-infused funk rock. Supporting the release of their ambitious new album, Headspace, the band is currently riding a wave of creativity and evolution.
Consisting of founding members Nick MacDaniels (guitar, vocals) and Jesse Hensley (guitar, vocals), the mesmerizing multi-instrumentalist Casey Cranford on saxophone and electric wind instrument (EWI), alongside the dynamic rhythm section of Ben Vinograd (drums), Matt Laird (bass), and Josh Kagel on keys and trumpet, Big Something have firmly established themselves as tried and true veterans of the jam band scene and a popular staple at music festivals around the country, including their own, The Big What, hosted annually in Mebane, NC.
Big Something made their Lark Hall debut on Wednesday, 10/2/24.
Back in the Capital Region for the first time since playing the Putnum Place in May of 2019, the band wasted no time reminding us they still can throw down with the best of them. Showcasing layers of sonic intricacy, catchy hooks and danceable grooves on the opening combo of “Algorithm” and “Love Generator” form 2014’s Truth Serum, Big Something then surprised everyone by slipping into a cover of “Blast Off” by another fan-favorite funk band, Lettuce.
Nick MacDaniels performing with Big Something at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Taking a moment to introduce the band and thank everyone for coming out on a Wednesday, the left-handed MacDaniels, who could be the long-lost brother of actor Michael Cera, hyped up the latest Big Something album, Headspace, before going into its opening track.
Until this point in the show, lead guitarist Jesse Hensley had been relatively reserved, but as “The Mountain” climbed to its peak, so did Jesse, uncorking an absolutely monstrous solo as the band reached its first true stretch of sustained improvisation.
The Curse of Julia Brown: Gabriel Marin of Consider the Source sat in with Big Something on 10/2/24.
Name dropping longtime friends and tour buddies Andy Frasco and The U.N. prior to “Clouds,” a song the two bands collaborated on, Big Something would get some more help from their friends in Consider the Source, inviting out guitarist Gabriel Marin to sit in on 2013’s “The Curse of Julia Brown.” resulting in one of most unique and memorable highlights of the show.
With the buzz in the hall now reaching a fever pitch, Big Something took the vibe even higher, reaching into their back catalog and pulling out their biggest hit to date next, “A Song For Us,” which all but blew the roof off the place. You can watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.
Watch Big Something perform “A Song For Us” live at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Big Something’s performance was a celebration of their growth, with tracks from Headspace seamlessly woven into the fabric of their established hits with songs like “Megalodon” blending beautifully into their cover of David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” With the always smiling MacDaniels’ charismatic stage presence igniting the crowd, the synergy between the band members was palpable, as they effortlessly navigated through their setlist, blending styles from jam rock to funk and even hints of reggae and electronic influences.
Big Something’s Casey Cranford plays the EWI 4000 at Lark Hall on 10/2/24.
Stealing the show all night long though was multi-instrumentalist Casey Cranford on saxophone and the electric wind instrument. Running his EWI 4000 through an array of effects pedals, Cranford effortlessly created sounds and textures straight from another dimension.
That should come as no surprise, as the band has long had a fascination with all things extraterrestrial. From their alien-spired logo, to samples referencing U.F.O.’s and crash landings to the stuffed little green man sitting on top of the amps throughout the show, Big Something has crafted a stellar, interstellar sound fit for the future and a galaxy far, far away.
Big Something made their Lark Hall debut on Wednesday, 10/2/24.
Adding depth to the evening was the poignant backdrop of recent flooding in North Carolina, which has forever changed the landscape of the bands home turf and brought an air of solidarity among the musicians and fans. Seemingly using the music as a means to escape, the band never directly referenced Hurricane Helene, but noticeably shied away from playing water-based favorites like “The Undertow,” “Waves,” “Starts to Rain,” and “The Flood.” Instead Big Something would close out the main portion of their set with a big version of the infectious hand-clapper, “Timebomb.”
After a bit of deliberation backstage, the band would return for a final curtain call encore of “Tumbleweed,” the title track from their 2017 album of the same name. Afterwards, the band made sure to let everyone in Albany know how appreciative they are for the support and could be seen hanging out late into the night taking selfies and signing limited edition posters and tour merch.
As the night drew to a close, the concert proved to be more than just a display of talent, but a celebration of the power of music to unite and uplift. Both Big Something and Consider the Source left the stage with the audience buzzing, showcasing that in a world often overshadowed by challenges, the joy of live music continues to shine brightly.
The Headspace Tour continues on through October, and fans in Albany can only hope for a swift return of both bands, where their cosmic sounds will continue to resonate long after the lights go down.
Big Something | October 2, 2024 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Intro by William, Algorithm, Love Generator>Blast Off [1] , The Mountain, Clouds, The Curse of Julia Brown [2] , Song For Us, Megalodon>Moonage Daydream [3] , Timebomb.
Encore: Tumbleweed
Notes:
[1] Lettuce
[2] w/ Gabriel Marin (Consider The Source) on guitar
[3] David Bowie
Consider the Source | October 2, 2024 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Trial By Stone, I Can See My Eyes, Mouthbreather, New World Čoček, Preemptive Vengeance. Unfulfilled and Alienated.
Get ready, Jimkata fans! The Psychedelic super pop jam band is back with a fresh new single, “Off The Rails” that’s set to be the soundtrack of your fall.
Known for their electrifying blend of indie rock and synth-driven beats, Jimkata has been a staple of the indie music scene, and their latest track doesn’t disappoint. The single offers a glimpse into their upcoming album, Running In Place which is released Friday, October 4th and is packed with the band’s signature energy and fresh new vibes.
To celebrate the release, Jimkata is hosting an Album Release Party Friday at Asbury Hall aka Babeville in Buffalo, and you won’t want to miss it! This is your chance to catch them live, hear your favorites plus hits off the new album, and experience the magic that only Jimkata can deliver. Big Something is opening the show.
NYS Music spoke to Jimkata ahead of the show and album release.
NYSMusic: What kind of themes or stories are fans going to hear on this new album? Did anything unexpected inspire you guys this time around?
Jimkata: I think as musicians and individuals we’ve all been navigating our way through a lot of changes and challenges the last few years. We started working on this album as a three piece, sort of doing what we could here and there while touring and Packy and Aaron becoming new fathers, while also trying to fund the process entirely independently. It hasn’t always been easy the last few years but it feels like a “pressure makes diamonds” type of situation. In that time, we added Cooper into the band full time on bass/synths and have been discovering a new sound or really, just advancing it to a new level. It’s hard to sum it up musically or lyrically since I think it’s pretty diverse between songs but I know for sure I pushed myself into some new territory at times while writing and recording this one. There were plenty of unexpected “aha” moments.
NYSMusic: If you could describe the new album in three words, what would they be? What kind of wild ride can Jimkata fans expect?
Jimkata: Full Spectrum Jimkata. We chose to incorporate both studio and live tracks to try to encompass where we’re at right now. It felt natural to end the album with the live stuff since this process began with a lot of isolated sessions, often just one or two of us working on a demo at home or with a producer. Then after playing a bunch of shows on the fall tour, building some chemistry on stage between the four of us, we knew we needed to get all of us in a room to work on the remaining new songs as a band and capture the vibe. I think the emotion of our songs gets amplified at shows because of the energy in the room and we wanted to show what that currently sounds like literally but also channel that into the studio stuff too.
NYSMusic: How do you decide which older songs to include in the setlist alongside the new tracks? Are there any fan favorites you always keep in rotation?
Jimkata: Sometimes it’s by fan request. Someone messages us about wanting to hear a certain song one night and we say, yea lets do it. Sometimes it’s something one of us brings up in a rehearsal. Like, “Hey what about this song?”. Sometimes we feel like we need a certain tempo or vibe at a specific time in a set and there are a few that always seem to do the trick. Its kinda tough because we have so many to choose from now but we’ve been embracing the whole catalog a lot more these days. We definitely know which songs seem to be clicking with the crowd but are always testing out new ideas or further enhancing an old song.
NYSMusic: Any songs on the new album that ended up surprising you or going in a completely different direction than you thought?
Jimkata: Almost all of them but probably the song Running in Place was the big surprise. It came together after a frustrating day in the studio where we seemed to be losing creative steam on a different song. We thought about what kind of song we needed vibe wise to round out the album and it just wasn’t it. Jocko (producer) asked if I had any other demos laying around and I rifled through a bunch of song ideas for them and the immediate reaction to Running in Place (aka ‘Spirals’) from everybody was, “Yea this one!”. We were getting really close, if not already past the deadline we gave ourselves so I went home and finished writing the song over the weekend and sent it around to everybody. We went back in and tracked it in a day and overnight we had this brand new tune that didn’t exist a week ago. Lyrically we felt like this idea of Running in Place resonated with how we felt about life lately- working your ass off trying to keep up with everything and in some ways feeling like you’re moving forward but other times like you’re just running on a treadmill.
The middle section on “Off the Rails” was also an unexpected moment of inspiration. We stumbled into the breakdown section while playing it live in the studio. Then weeks later, I’m driving there to record vocals, listening to the song, and I come up with this vocal idea. It’s almost insane sounding and we wanted to lean into that unhinged character. I really enjoyed yelling like a crazy person in the vocal booth, something I’m not sure I’ve done before but clearly was exactly what I needed to do and is probably a more accurate portrayal of how stressful life has been at times in the last few years for me. “
NYSMusic: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to upcoming and inspiring indie artists trying to find their voice and grow their audience in today’s music scene?
Jimkata: We don’t really know what to tell anyone since it seems like today’s landscape is very different from the one we started with and even the “professionals” are always trying to figure out what the hell is going on. However, we’ve seen a lot of things come and go in a short amount of time and things change, but some things remain true. Obviously social media is important, but I’d say don’t forget to just get out there and play a show, a party, whatever. Get together with friends and jam, go to shows and meet other musicians, other bands. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, suck, mess up in front of people, write songs you might not like later. Just laugh and learn from it. With a world of talented people on a screen in our pockets it can be intimidating and feel like maybe you’ll never be “good enough” to put yourself out there. But music is art, expression. It’s not always about technical ability although that’s important too. It’s about expression and having fun and sharing an experience with others not just on a screen, but in person.”
The turnout was overwhelmingly young at Webster Hall on Wednesday, October 2, for Duster, a heavy, depressing-sounding (in a good way) band that initially released music at a time when most of the audience was in grade school.
Their debut album, Stratosphere, was released in 1998, at least five years before most of the hands gripping the stage barrier, marked by black X’s for audience members under 21, were born.
As Duster’s set time approached, OG Duster fans and veteran concertgoers who skipped the opener began to fill in GA behind a wave of younglings. Shoegaze is the new dad rock, with bands like Duster, Slowdive, and My Bloody Valentine ballooning in popularity with the under-25 crowd, arguably eclipsing their initial popularity.
Duster has a perfect grip on the audience’s attention, purposefully subdued, choosing when to cater to the audience. After the first two songs, young voices called out from the crowd, “Turn up your mics. We can’t hear you!” From the stage, Canaan Amber replied softly and succinctly, “No.” As the show continued, the overhead lights faded, and only the LED screen behind them remained, silhouetting them against pulsing and swimming colors.
The term “shoegaze” can only describe the textural aspect of Duster’s music and leaves out the most gripping part of their sound: tempo. Often called slowcore, a subgenre interested in intensely slow tempos, head banging here is more like nodding with the slow heartbeat of drums and droning guitars.
Duster seems to pull the tempo even harder live than on the studio recordings, often leaving the audience leaning in before finally reaching the climax of the songs. Injecting a burst of energy for but a moment, and yet, when each song concludes, the audience erupts, held in stasis until one intensely gratifying moment. It’s an exciting feeling that is very different live versus listening at home. Now, Duster makes their way through the midwest until they reach California for two shows at the beginning of November to conclude their tour.
Roger Bryan and The Orphans is a Buffalo-based rock band that boasts sounds of alternative flare and indie spirit.
They are comprised of vocalist Roger Bryan, drummer Mike Sobieraj, Matt Lavin on bass and Dave Calos on guitar. The band originated in Buffalo in 2008 and have cycled through members before finally finding the core four Orphans.
The name Roger Bryan and The Orphans comes from the idea that the bandmembers were originally parts of other bands, but these groups dissolved, bringing them together as orphans of their past. The band’s sound contains a mix of soft indie and edgy alternative. The combination of this sound does the band well as they use their dynamic sound to express their musicianship over the years.
Over the course of 5 albums, multiple EPâs and singles, they have created a catalog of ragged glory that continues to grow and evolve while managing to keep a heart still stitched on its worn sleeve. Their latest album Days or Nights/That’s Life! combines songs from their 2023 EP That’s Life! along with some recent, polished tracks.
Around seven years in, there were big changes within the band. Mike and Roger found themselves reduced to a duo wondering where exactly to go. Eventually, the duo built it back up with Matt Lavin. Dave Calos was the last to join a couple weeks later.
Since then, Roger Bryan and The Orphans have released many works, each with their own unique sound. The group does not conform to a single sound, they have dynamic songwriting techniques, and a variety of sound to output. That said, the group’s overall tone is recognizable as something of their own.
The band has a couple upcoming shows in October and November, both in Buffalo. On October 11 at Jackrabbit music venue and eatery, Roger Bryan and The Orphans see the stage with Johnny Nobody for a live recording of their catalogue. November 16, at the Cave music venue, the band performs for their label Harvest Sum’s 20th anniversary show.
To learn more about Roger Bryan and The Orphans and to hear their works, head to their Bandcamp by clicking here.
With a rich community of local wineries, music venues, restaurants, performing arts centers, and outdoor hang-outs, the public spaces of Rochester and The Finger Lakes all have one thing in common- they cultivate a unique and vibrant live entertainment culture.
Photo: Andreas F. Borchert
From the most laidback of barside concerts to sold-out 15,000 person shows, there’s a venue and an event for everyone and every occasion. Here’s a list of a few of the creative cornerstones of the Rochester and Finger Lakes communities.
Born out of a rehabbed 19th century building in the heart of downtown Rochester, The Abilene Bar and Lounge has hosted local artists and all-star acts alike since 2008. With a beer menu accommodating their variety of live acts, the bar maintains an unpretentious, neighborhood bar feel regardless of how big or small the musical act of the evening.
The Finger Lakes’ premiere professional theater, Bristol Valley Theater puts on a stunning series of plays and musicals from June to August each year in addition to a full fall collection of concerts, theater, and family events. Founded in 1964, the Theater continues to entertain, educate, and enhance the Finger Lakes’ creative community to this day in their historic church-turned-theatrical space.
Host to live music and DJs seven days a week since 1991, Bug Jar is a cornerstone Rochester bar and live entertainment venue with a consistently action-packed lineup. With names like The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, The White Stripes, Modest Mouse, and many more gracing their stage over the years, The Bug Jar is a tried-and-true must visit independent venue.
An outdoor dining venue with a bar on site, live music, and local eateries tucked in between historic buildings, The Central on Main offers free entry and plenty of seating for their intimate, casual live music performances. With a new permanent stage and cycle of regional artists, The Central on Main has taken a once barren blacktop parking lot and fostered a tight-knit local community of musicians and music-lovers alike.
Address: 15 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (Canandaigua)
Founded as the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in 1983, the Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center- or the CMAC- has been cultivating the Finger Lakes’ live arts and music community since day one. With a $13.5 million facility built in 2006 that boasts 5,000 covered seats, 54 VIP boxes, and lawn seating for up to 10,000 guests, the CMAC attracts folks from near and far.
In addition to its star-studded guest list and lengthy community history, CMAC has committed itself to a safe and healthy live entertainment environment, working with local recycling companies to divert waste in real-time at the end of each show, as well as offering multiple water-filling stations to reduce single-use plastic waste. They haven’t stopped there either- CMAC also donates all funds from volunteer-based concession tents to local nonprofits, raising over $50,000 thus far.
Address: 3355 Marvin Sands Dr Canandaigua, NY 14424
Host to the Eastman School of Music’s performances, the Eastman Theatre offers a variety of concert spaces including the historical and illustrious 2,326 seat Kodak Hall, Venetian Renaissance 444 seat Kilbourn Hall renowned for its pure acoustics, and one of the newest additions, the modern and state-of-the-art 222 seat Hatch Recital Hall.
Rooted in a refurbished fire truck, Engine 14 is the result of Rochester Fire Department retiree Greg Borden. Borden’s connection to the truck- having been decommissioned in the 60s from the same firehouse he worked in- and passion for home brewed craft beer resulted in a firehouse themed brewery, live music venue, and cornerstone for the community. Engine 14 Brewery hosts live entertainment almost every weekend featuring local acts and more.
Nestled between other Rochester live music venues and attractions, Flour City Station brings in folks from near and far with their local bites and sips, a friendly and social atmosphere, and a versatile venue that accommodates both local performers and nationally touring acts with their state-of-the-art sound system.
aqueous at Flour City Station, photo by Jake Silco
Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (Canandaigua)
Proud recipient of the Best of Canandaigua 2022 Award, the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center was formed as a concept years prior to its grand opening in January of 2020. Those years of development allowed the folks behind the FHPAC to hone in on their vision for the space- a center for the community to entertain and be entertained with a diverse set of programming that inspires patrons and artists alike.
Originally built as the Canandaigua Academy High School’s 1,100 seat auditorium in 1928 and left for ruin after the district moved to new facilities, the FHPAC raised six million dollars through fundraising to restore and refurbish the space into a performing arts center.
Address: 20 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua NY, 14424
An almost unbelievably scenic 95 acres of public and private events alike, Lincoln Hill farms hosts everything from weddings to glamping to music festivals. Host to an outdoor stage and pavilion, the Farms offer live music and community events throughout the year Thursday through Sunday in addition to local craft beers, farm-to-table bites, and more.
Located in the heart of downtown Rochester’s East End, The Montage Music Hall hosts annual events such as The Rochester International Jazz Festival, The Rochester Fringe Festival, and The Rochester Entertainment Metal Festival and Music Marathon. In addition to keystone events, the 400 person venue hosts musical acts of all genres from near and far- local, regional, and national.
Address: 55 Chestnut & Lawn St Rochester, NY 14604
Providing the Rochester area with professional theatrical productions since 2005, OFC Creations Theatre Center is just that- a hub for creatives and lovers of all things creative to gather.
Staffed with current theatre professionals passionate about imparting their skills upon the next generation of performers, the OFC Creations Theatre Center offers a subscription based pro-season of shows rarely produced in the region, educational programs for students ages 4 to 18, and hosts out-of-town entertainers in their 260-seat venue.
Founded in 2016, Photo City Music Hall provides the space for an impressive variety of musical acts to bring folks from the area and beyond together, regardless of genre, subculture, and popularity. With events reaching from EDM and metal to silent discos and dance parties, Photo City Music Hall’s state of the art set up and inviting energy has something for every kind of live entertainment fan.
Boasting live theater, concerts of all genres, community events, and movies, The Smith Opera House tucked within the Smith Center for the Arts offers much more than just opera. Opened in 1894 and refurbished in the early 1990s, the stage acts as a local cornerstone in multiple ways.
With powerful acts such as Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen gracing the stage, cover bands and musicals and shadow-casts alike bringing iconic works to life, re-inventions and newly emerging children’s entertainment routinely taking the stage, and local high school students walking the venue as they graduate, it’s no wonder the Opera House draws people from Geneva and beyond in time and time again.
Born out of a noticeable lack of West Coast-style brews in the Rochester area, 3 Heads Brewing began as a brave submission to a local self-brewed beer competition and has since grown into a state-of-the-art brewery and beer garden in the heart of Rochester’s neighborhood of the arts. In addition, the space becomes a casual live music venue and versatile dance floor during their weekend live music sets with special events sprinkled across their calendar. A local venue made for locals featuring musical acts rooted in Rochester and beyond- it’s no question why customers return time and time again.
Family owned for over 30 years, Treleaven Wines has expanded from a generational farm to a one stop shop for all things wine, beer, food, live entertainment, and family fun. In addition to trivia, brunch & bingo, and football sundays, Treleaven is home to the Hangtime Main Stage for all high-energy musical needs and their Saturday acoustic series for a cozier listening experience.
A Finger Lakes top destination winery, Ventosa Vineyards hosts free, local, year-round live music every Wednesday with additional select performances sprinkled throughout. Weather permitting, performances occur on the Vineyard’s scenic terrace overlooking the vines below.
Located within the del Lago Resort and Casino, The Vine Showroom has been voted Gold as the best nightclub in the Finger Lakes, and it’s no wonder why. Boasting 2,400 seats, The Vine hosts a range of live events throughout the year that span cover and tribute bands, comedy sets, magic shows, and original musical acts across all genres.
Rochester’s largest and oldest concert venue, Water Street Music Hall was founded as a country bar in 1976, reopening in 1992 for a wider audience prior to the opening of its nightclub opening in 1999 that would push their genre capabilities even further and final rebranding into the recognizable Water Street Music Hall title the same year. With names like Phish, The Ramones, Skrillex, Sublime, and Pusha T gracing their halls, the Music Hall is perpetually history in the making.
