NYC-based R&B singer/songwriter Brendan James has released a brand new single titled “Feel Alive,” from his upcoming album Focus.
Brendan James is an alternative pop, soul, and R&B fusion singer and producer. James and his producer Stroobz Beats recently released their latest single “Feel Alive” from the upcoming album Focus. The track marks the artist’s fourth studio single.
Brendan’s self-proclaimed identity as an “old soul” is epitomized by both his musical inspirations and his own body of work. From Earth, Wind, and Fire to Usher and Luciano Pavarotti, Brendan’s musical inclinations are brimming with generations of spirit and souls.
Brendan James’ single “Feel Alive” has strong emotion tied in each note. It has elements of pop-R&B, alternative, and even gospel. One can argue there is something of an emo undertone here. The track’s layered vocals, powerful intonations, and flowing melody provide a real treat for the soul.
James’ style is in every sense, dynamic. The track has multiple changes in melody and vocal style. The soundscape this track occupies is unique, yet reminiscent of those who came before him. Brendan James’ music speaks to a variety of people from hip hop and R&B enjoyers to pop and alt enjoyers as well. Simply put, this track starts strong and ends stronger.
Make sure to stay up to date on the release of Brendan James’ upcoming album, Focus. For more information on the artist, visit his Spotify here.
Funk/rock-fusion trio Pocket Bandits have announced the release of their debut single, “The Pocket Bandit,” on April 5. The trio hails from Ithaca and hopes to dazzle listeners with their upcoming track.
The debut single is set to put Pocket Bandits out there once and for all. The single is a bold opening volley from a band of experienced musicians with big ambitions for their new collaboration. The trio is comprised of Joe Massa, Samuel B. Lupowitz, and Simon Bjarning. Joe and Samuel have played together for a decade.
The group practices a fusion of sounds from funk, progressive rock, and jam-blues. The music sees a funky guitar-organ combo that keeps the listener entranced. The trio can be described as a fun, funky fusion of R&B grooves, jazz improvisation, rock intensity, and catchy-yet-unpredictable songwriting.
The single is to be marked with a record release at The Downstairs in Ithaca on Saturday, April 6. Pocket Bandits plays two sets of original material, and a third set backing up Marlyand-based post-rock singer-songwriter Mark Hennessey.
The group aims not merely to show off, but to fill the dance floor with their engaging original compositions, as well as the occasional crowd-pleaser by artists from The Beatles to Billie Eilish. Their debut single showcases the groups experience, talent, and ability to make groove ensue.
To stay up to date on Pocket Bandits’ upcoming releases and to find out more about the trio, click here. Make sure to check out their upcoming shows as well.
The fourth annual HillTap Festival, filled with a full day of outdoor activities and live music from three bands on two stages, will return to Ellicottville, NY on July 27.
The HillTap Festival will start with a chairlift ride up to Spruce Lake with live music, adventure activities, craft food and beverages. The festival will then head back down the mountain for two additional bands to wrap up the full day of activities. “HillTap is truly a one-of-a-kind event. The opportunity to host an event at the top of the mountain is truly unique. There is no better venue to merge great music, adventure, and craft beverages,” said 42 North Brewery Founder, John Cimperman. Niki Klein, Director of Resort Services at Holiday Valley adds, “It’s great to partner with 42 North on this event. Their adventurous spirit fits our DNA. We encourage attendees to spend the morning hiking and biking the trails and then spend the afternoon up at Spruce Lake”.
The festival lineup includes Buffalo-based Grateful Dead tribute band Workingman’s Dead, a southern soul band from Buffalo – Miller and the Other Sinners, and the old-time influenced folk-rock band Smilo and The Ghost. Miller and The Other Sinners have played over 700 gigs, ranging from house parties to festivals, across 21 states and Canada since August 2015. The band puts on an incredible performance that is full of catchy grooves, amazing musicianship, and well-written, emotionally charged songs.
Since their formation in 2016, Smilo and the Ghost have been entertaining audiences in the Northeast with their hard-driving, folk-rock with an old-time feel. The Erie Reader named their debut album, Ghost Writers, one of the “Top Three Albums of 2018.” Since then, Smilo and the Ghost have served as the opening act for national touring artists such as 10,000 Maniacs and Grammy-winning country duet Dan and Shay.
The vendor line-up at HillTap includes SUP Erie Adventures, Mud, Sweat & Gears, Tom’s Pro Bikes, Holiday Valley E-Bikes, 716 Fly Fishing, and Hatchet & Hops. Each of the vendors will be offering product exhibitions and demonstrations so attendees are encouraged to bring their adventure gear to take part in the adventure. Additionally, regional food trucks will be on-site during the festival.
Early bird tickets are now on sale for $35 and include free parking, a lift ticket up to Spruce Lake, and a full-day of music and adventure sports demo’s and clinics. A twilight ticket will also be offered that provides admission to the base of the mountain for the final two musical performances. The event runs from 12 noon until 9 pm. For tickets and more information on HillTap, fans can visit here.
Electric Forest Music Festival announced an additional 40+ artists to their 2024 lineup coming to Rothbury, Michigan. Taking place June 20-23, Electric Forest maintains its reputation of being one of the most immersive and and interactive festivals in the world. It’s fostered atmosphere of connection and discovery are why it sells out so fast.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This renowned festival blessed their attendees even further by making their 2024 lineup even more stacked. Some of the new additions include melodic bass maestro Seven Lions, experimental bass expert G Jones, and hard techno priestess Sara Landry. They also brought on the Grammy-nominated band Hiatus Kaiyote and post-punk connoisseurs Emo Nite.
Electric Forest maintains their priorities of keeping a mixture of genres performing across their fields. They invited Nashville’s Brandi Cyrus and Chicago’s rising trio Levity. Plus, tech house sensations ODD MOB & OMNOM are presenting HYPERBEAM. Deep bass lovers will be pleased to know that the multi-instrumentalist Boogie T got added to the line-up. His blend of dubstep and funk is like no other in the scene right now.
Boogie T, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
These new additions are joining an already stacked roster of headliners making this festival a can’t miss in 2024. Some of which include, the dubstep king himself Excision, Forest favorite Pretty Lights, and the most skilled producer in the game, Subtronics.
Subtronics, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Collaborative sets are taking forest by a storm this year. Look out for EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla & John Summit), LSZEE (Close & LSDREAM) and Gigantic NGHTMRE (Big Gigantic & NGHTMRE). Jam band lovers are always in for a treat at Forest with of course two performances from The String Cheese Incident. Plus sets from The Disco Biscuits and Umphrey’s McGee will be must sees this year.
The Disco Biscuits, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Electric Forest has remained committed to constant re-imagination of what the festival experience can be and they do this flawlessly. They listen to their fans and make a blended lineup full of so many talented artists across an array of genres. However, they go beyond this through their production, programming, and curation of dedicated festival communities. For more information on all the magic Electric Forest 2024 holds visit here.
On March 30, the Bozeman, Montana-based Kitchen Dwellers capped off a pair of impressive shows at Brooklyn Bowl, proving that jamgrass is thriving nationwide on their cross-country L.F.G Tour.
Going into Saturday night, the crowd was eager with anticipation; Friday’s show saw a sit-in from opener Cris Jacobs and encored with a thrilling cover of “The ‘59 Sound” by New Jersey rock bandthe Gaslight Anthem.
Saturday’s opener, Yam Yam, gave a jazz-funk-infused performance, setting the tone with a high-energy psychedelic kick-off to the night. Jason Mescia’s saxophone playing was a welcome standout surprise, a sound not typical for a night of bluegrass. The Kitchen Dwellers opened with unmistakable bluegrass energy on “Wind Bitten” from their latest album, Seven Devils, before dipping into their back catalog with “Broken Cage.” Shawn Swain showcased impressive talent on the mandolin during the instrumental “Whitewater.” Bassist Joe Funk, banjo player Torrin Daniels, and guitarist Max Davies then shared vocals to harmonize over Willie Nelson’s “Bloody Mary Morning.“
The band’s rock and roll inspiration showed in Torrin Daniels’ impassioned vocals on “Shadows.” Performed today, the 2019 song’s lyrics and delivery could be seen as an early sign to come of the rising folk-rock resurgence seen in artists like Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan. The band would turn back to a more bluegrass sound with a “Muir Made” sandwich, slotted around “Unwind” which offered a tease of the heavier jamming in the second set.
The first set then closed out, aided by a sit-in from Fruition’s guitarist Kellen Asebroek on piano. With the addition, the group performed Elton John’s Love letter to New York “Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters,” showing off the band’s ability to take a song and transcendence genre. Asebroek stayed on keys to perform Fruition’s 2016 song “The Meaning,” closing out the set.
Performing against the carnival-inspired backdrop at Brooklyn Bowl, the Western quintet easily evoked the feeling of a picture-perfect state fair. The Kitchen Dwellers describe their version of jamgrass as “galactic” and the description is fitting for a show that rides from highway tunes to dark looping jams. The second set opened with “Drowning (… Again)” as the band began to take a more exploratory route and opened up to deeper jamming. The group would nod again to the local crowd performing Justin Townes Earle’s “One More Night In Brooklyn.“
The Kitchen Dwellers continued pulling the audience through the edges of bluegrass jamming with “Phaedrus” and “Their Names Are the Trees.” Through the band’s skillful picking, it was easy to see how the worlds of metal and bluegrass share common bonds through a love of shredding guitar. The playing would bring the crowd to an energetic crescendo, with the whole room dancing during “Sundown.”
Before starting into their recent single, “The Crow and The Raven,” the band would call the crowd’s attention to their guest, New York City-based director Kayla Arend, a college friend of the group who recently directed the song’s music video.
The band dipped into a dark rhythmic jam rhythm for the title track on “Seven Devils.” Proving to be anything but it’s namesake, “The Living Dread” injected energy into attendees before the band took a brief respite before an encore. A cover of Emmitt-Nershi Band’s “New Country Blues” gave Torrin Daniels a chance to stretch his rock star bravado for a wild-eyed, chest-pounding performance to close-out the night.
The Kitchen Dwellers are cooking up a show well worth seeing two nights in a row. With a deep repertoire to pull from and a stadium-worthy light show from Matt Allmond, expect to find the Kitchen Dwellers serving up galactic jamgrass across the country. Kitchen Dwellers are on tour now, you can find out more and purchase tickets through their website. Their latest album Seven Devils is available for streaming.
Set 1: Comet > Southern Flavor > Paradise Valley Cabin Pressure > Drop Tine Night Rider’s Lament, Meagher’s Reel > Waterford Son, Woods Lake, Daughter, Daughter [1] > Pretty Daughter [1]
Set 2: Pendulum, Here We Go > Can’t Stop Now, Years of My Life > Sit At My Table, Covered Bridges > Ebenezer’s Winter, What the Night Brings > Covered Bridges
Encore: The ‘59 Sound
[1] With Cris Jacobs and Bryan McDowell
Kitchen Dwellers – Brooklyn Bowl – March 30, 2024
Set 1: Wind Bitten > Broken Cage Whitewater > Bloody Mary Morning, Shadows, Muir Maid > Unwind > Muir Maid, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters [1] The Meaning [1]
Set 2: Drowning (… Again) > One More Night In Brooklyn > Drowning (… Again), Phaedrus, Their Names Are the Trees > E.M.D. > Sundown, The Crow and the Raven, Prelude > Seven Devils > The Living Dread
Dynamic jazz-pop band Couch brought their Sunshine, Part 2 Tour to the Westcott Theater in Syracuse on Friday, March 29. It was a fittingly beautiful, sunshine-filled spring day in Central New York. The show was the second stop on a lengthy, cross country tour for the band, which features Sophia James as the opener.
Hailing from Boston, Couch have been turning heads since their formation in 2021. Described as a blend of jazz, rock, pop and R&B, the band has performed at major festivals like Boston Calling, and toured in support of Lake Street Dive. The seven-piece band is currently touring in support of the recently released Sunshower EP (October 2023).
Opener Sophia James rewarded those who arrived to the theater early this evening. James performed on stage solo, but brilliantly mixed in drum and vocal loops to build dramatic layers to her songs. She excitedly touted her upcoming release, Clockwork, due April 19, an EP that is sure to garner lots of listens from those who were in attendance tonight.
An excited energy filled the theater as Couch made their way to the stage. Opening with the energetic “Saturday,” all of the hallmark staples of a Couch show were immediately on display: the dramatic horn section of Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith (Trumpet) and Eric Tarlin (saxophone) which blended with singer Tema Siegel’s dynamic vocals. Throughout the set, each of the band members were given ample time at the center of the stage. Guitarist Zach Blankstein delivered a fierce guitar solo during the interactive “Poems,” while Jared Gozinsky (drums) and Will Griffin each took turns showcasing their talents. Keyboardist Danny Silverston added layers of synths and also took his turn at the mic, leading the audience in a three-piece layer of sing along harmony during “Poems.”
While much of the evening showcased the band’s high energy tracks, the band brilliantly weaved several slower ballads in to the mix. Siegel told the tale of finding love before performing “Autumn,” while later in the set the band performed the beautiful “Let Me Hold You.” In between their own songs, they worked in several cover songs, including Billy Joel’s “Vienna” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” the latter of which saw opener Sophia James returning to the stage to share vocals.
After a brief encore break, the band triumphantly returned to the stage to perform the upbeat “Easy To Love.” Clearly a fan favorite, the song offered fans one last opportunity to sing and dance before the spilling out in to the streets. The sunshine of earlier in the day was gone, but it was not lost in the mood of those who attended this evening.
There are an unknown number of bands and musicians in any town, at any given time. Across the 518, dozens if not hundreds of unsigned, fledgling artists that are getting their start, with dream and aspirations pushing them forward. The goal varies for each individual, but getting signed to a record deal, an agency or a management company is typically where sights are set.
Andy Scullin, creator, host and producer of Unsigned518, has a passion for local music that has led to more than 120 episodes and counting of regular, weekly podcasts. On Tuesdays you’ll find guests range from bands and musicians to figures in the 518 scene who sit down to have a genuine conversation about their music with Andy, as well a share a few songs, sometimes performing live.
A new addition to the budding podcast is the Thursday release of “Weekend Spotlight,” which are recorded on Wednesday evenings and released a couple of hours later at midnight. These episodes offer a quick look at a few local shows happening that coming weekend, and feature a few songs or a guest joining in on the call to discuss the show. This is also a spot for Andy to premiere music by local bands, giving listeners a taste of what they can see live that coming weekend.
But this isn’t a new endeavor for Scullin, who got his start in radio in 1992 at a small adult/alternative station in West Dover, VT – station WVAY. “I was an on-air talent (at just 19 years old) and while I was there, learned how to edit audio. When I first started editing, “cut and paste” literally involved a razor blade and tape. I did that for a few years, and then pursued other jobs outside of broadcasting.”
Scullin would later work at WEQX a few years on, becoming Production Director and host of EQXsposure before once again leaving radio for other ventures. Andy later went on to be producer of The Joe Gallagher Show on WGY for several years.
From these experiences, the idea for Unsigned518 populated in Scullin’s head for nearly 20 years. Combining his love of local music with a love of talking into a microphone would lead to creating a free-form show that gives the artist a chance to have their story told in the way they want it to be, not having to adhere to pre-planned questions.
What’s more, Andy Scullin is a musician himself, playing bass and singing for ShortWave RadioBand, a high-energy punk/garage band based in Schuylerville, infusing elements of punk, ska, and alternative into the music. The group started in 2020 as an acoustic duo with Lonny Eaton (ShortWave’s guitarist/vocalist), playing cover songs in the corner of Argyle Brewing’s taproom. After a year and a half as a duo, the pair met drummer John Woods, immediately hit it off and started jamming, with Scullin shifting to bass.
In October 2021, the trio recorded and released their first original song, “Don’t Care,” following it up with “SomeDay” in early 2022. Horns were included in the recording, and would lead to Abby Stone joining the band on trumpet, followed by Ryan Shaw joining as a second guitarist to fill out the band’s sound.
Since becoming a five-piece, ShortWave RadioBand have gigged all over the 518, playing with and becoming friends with dozens of local bands. The group has played WAMC’s Summer on Central series, Putnam Place in Saratoga and other venues in the region. With a live EP and eight singles recorded, they also have a few videos under their belt, including “So Long, The Hopeful” which features members of nine local bands playing roles, including The Sugar Hold, Seize Atlantis, Gozer and more.
ShortWave RadioBand and Unsigned518 recently collaborated with Poison Noises on a guitar pedal called the Pork Pi – a play on the popular Muff Pi pedal and Andy’s signature orange Pork Pie hat – which is a monster distortion pedal for guitar or bass.
Below you’ll find some of Andy’s favorite Unsigned518 episodes, and there are many more where these came from. Be sure to check out and subscribe to Unsigned518.
Over the Easter Weekend, Sleepy Hallow’s Boy Meets World Tour arrived in New York City. Prior to Sleepy coming on stage and bringing down the Palladium, fellow New York artists such as Rah Swish, Rowdy Rebel and others graced the stage for the warmup.
After a roaring ovation upon taking the stage, Sleepy performed some of his more introspective tracks including “Anxiety,” featuring Doechii, where he’s opened up about his mental health, the hardship he has faced in the past year crafting and releasing his latest album, Boy Meets World. The crowd joined in singing word for word while Sleepy Hallow performed other hits such as “Die Young,” featuring 347AIDAN, “Pain Talk” featuring Lil TJAY, and more.
During the show, Sleepy Hallow invited label mate Eli Fross to perform alongside him.
Sleepy Hallow decided to surprise the New York crowd by inviting some of their own on stage. He brought out Bronx artists: Cash Cobain and Bay Swag who bought the Slizzy Experience to the Palldium in performing viral hit “Fisherrr.”
Sleepy Hallow ended the night with some of his classic hits, “2055,” “Deep End Freestyle,” “Basketball Dreams,” and “1999.” Tickets for the rest of the Boy Meets World Tour are available here.
NYC Singer-songwriter Jake Trevor has released a new powerful single “Should I” ahead of his new self-titled album Jake Trevor – set to release on May 24.
Jake Trevor started his career performing in the subway system, with his original music that included soul, pop, folk, and alt-rock, and songs inspired by other artists such as Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, and Rihanna. His songs explore self-discovery, doubt, sexuality, confidence, and achieving one’s dreams.
Trevor is an artist who resists categorization, with a sound that is dark and upbeat. “I believe anything is possible”, Trevor says. Having had a turbulent childhood, growing up in a hostile and homophobic family and finding refuge in creativity from an early age, he credits music for saving his life, making him resilient and giving him purpose.
In his newly released single “Should I”, Trevor sings about being overwhelmed and wondering what to do next. His heartfelt lyrics and deeply moving voice are like a boat dancing on the piano’s ocean waves, especially when he hits the high notes singing, “What would you do if you had one day left to live / Who would you love if your heart had one last chance?”
With the release of a new single, Trevor also shared that he will release his debut self-titled album Jake Trevor on May 24, taking his fans on a journey from piano balladry and electropop club bangers, to coffeehouse folk and soulful indie-pop. “This album has a throughline of rebellion and empowerment. It spans from deeply sad or romantic ballads to the utter jubilant glee of my heart-pounding dance anthems,” he said. The self-titled album takes on topics of family, homophobia, religion, love and sex – all through a lens of passion and hope.
Fans can stream “Should I” on all streaming platforms, and to learn more about Jake Trevor, visit here.
Get ready to map out your culinary experience while rocking out to the killer lineup at Governors Ball 2024. The highly anticipated festival has revealed the food and beverage lineup, promising a culinary adventure alongside a stellar music lineup at Flushing Meadows Corona Park this June 7-9.
This year, Gov Ball is emphasizing serving up a taste of New York City. Inspired by the borough of Queens and the city’s diverse culinary scene, the festival will feature a wide selection of local and national vendors. This commitment to variety ensures something delicious for everyone, reflecting New York City’s status as a global food destination.
Queens Night Market: Photograph by Time Out/Ali Garber
Queens Night Market fans take note: this year, there is an incredible selection of popular vendors featuring at the festival. Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy crowd-pleasing dishes from Mao’s Bao, Eemas Cuisine, Twisted Potato, La Braza, and Matyldas Polish. But that’s not all – iconic NYC staples like Roberta’s Pizza, Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, Cafe Habana, Sweet Chick, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will also be on hand to satisfy your cravings.
Shutterstock/Nick Starichenko
In terms of free perks, you can beat the heat with free water stations conveniently located throughout the festival grounds. If you need a morning pick-me-up, you can also grab a complimentary iced coffee and munchkins from Dunkin’ to start your day. Feeling a little peckish later on? Cabot Creamery is offering free grilled cheese bites to satisfy those hunger pangs. Craving something with a kick? Head to the Stella Artois x Hot Ones collaboration booth for spicy popcorn, fries, and a frosty Stella Artois to cool things down.
Doughnuttery at Governors Ball 2022, photograph by Joseph Buscarello
