Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Sam Rappaport has released the music video for his latest single “Bicycle Away,” teaming up with Queens-based interpretive dancers and filmmakers Kathleen Dalton and Sonja Petermann for the intimate and emotional track.
Credit: John LaRosa.
Sam Rappaport is a Los Angeles-born writer and musician living in Bushwick. He pulls from rock, jazz, and soul, creating understated compositions. With a touch of delicate vocals, he creates an intimate vibe that makes the listener feel as if they are being addressed directly.
“Bicycle Away” was produced by Lorenzo Wolff and recorded in his East Williamsburg studio Restoration Sound. The track traces the volatile seesawing of a relationship struggling to reach equilibrium, with the narrator acknowledging his need for emotional growth while also yearning for an escape route. He wants to escape and move beyond the horizon but also wants to stay close.
I wrote this song about a year and a half ago. I think it started with this image–this memory–of my friends and I riding bikes through the streets of the valley, in Southern California–how it felt like we were explorers charting out a whole geography of experiences. We felt trapped by the valley, and we wanted to escape, but there was also such a feeling of freedom in being a kid, on a bike, after school, racing through different neighborhoods. Our entire lives were still in the distance. Then, from there, I moved into the present and started thinking about the difficulties I’ve had in finding equilibrium in relationships, the tendency to kind of swing between extremes. Somehow, I crammed all that stuff together into a song. I’m not really sure how it happens.
Sam Rappaport.
The music video is soft and nostalgic, bringing the viewer in deep with the rhythmic movement and slow edits. Sam Rappaport’s voice is melodic, bringing in irresistible slow guitars and percussion. The listener can fall hard into the track, reminiscing on their past along with Sam. The interpretive dancing was a unique touch and helped tell the story even more, bringing in scenes of nature that make you feel warm as you watch it.
“Bicycle Away,” the new daring and emotional track from Sam Rappaport made me feel many different emotions while watching it, and is perfect for these cold winter months coming up. It is available to stream now.
On December 22, Indie-Pop duo Crystal Caverns, hailing from Rockaway Beach, Queens released their single titled, “Feels Nice.”
With clear vocal influence from artists like Björk, and a melodic-angsty sound similar to Juice Wrld, this single showcases the vibe Crystal Caverns is curating. Driving basslines, cinematic keys, and ethereal vocals round out their sound. From the slow, melodic build up in the beginning, to the transition into vocal harmony, this track keeps you engaged. With whimsical synth, a punchy 80s percussion, and a plethora of intricate sounds, the instrumentation couples well with the melodic vocals.
Originating from Rockaway Beach, Queens, Jae t’Aime and Jason Alex Grey make up the two minds of the duo. With Jae on lead vocals, keys, and programming, Jason on vocals, bass, and guitars, the duo covers plenty of ground and sound of the sonic landscape. The duo has also announced they will be playing two shows in NYC in January.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd pays tribute to his guitar hero Jeff Beck in a new single “Rhapsody In Blues (One for Jeff)”
Guitarist and Singer-songwriter Ricky Byrd who was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in inducted in 2015 with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts has released a new single instrumental single “Rhapsody In Blues (One for Jeff)” to pay a tribute to his guitar hero Jeff Beck who passed away in 2023 due to illness.
Byrd’s new single “Rhapsody In Blues (One for Jeff)” follows the release of his recent digital/7″ singles “Louanne”, “Alien” and “Glamdemic Blues”, which featured a B-side cover of the Four Tops’ classic “Reach Out (I’ll Be There).
The only way I felt I could properly pay tribute to Jeff Beck, whose playing has inspired me my whole life, was to record this track dedicated to him. This is a track I felt I needed to write. I did it as a thank you to Jeff. He was such an important part of the process for me as a guitar player.
First as a teenager discovering all this cool new music I was soaking up, trying to learn a riff here and there (the easy ones), to all these many years later where I’m still in awe of where he took guitar playing. And yes I’m still trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to nick one of his riffs. Thanks again Guv’nor.
Ricky Byrd
The song honors the legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, who played with the Yardbirds and was once named one of the top 5 guitarists of all-time by Rolling Stone. Jeff was a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – first with The Yardbirds in 1992 and later as a solo artist in 2009, before he passed he had with Johnny Depp in the Fall off 2022 and made a stop at UPAC in Kingston. Revisit the performance here.
Wonderland Forest is more than just a forest: it has hiking trails, campgrounds, a wedding venue, and more recently, an outdoor music venue with various bands, food vendors, and other activities from across the United States.
Wonderland Forest exists because of a big team that focuses on the business side of managing grounds such as Wonderland Forest, as well as a focus on the environmentalism needed to run such a place ethically. One of these hard-workers is 2023 SUNY ESF graduate student, Shelby Martin.
Shelby Martin describes the atmosphere of Wonderland to be peaceful. In fact, their motto is “A Forest Peaceful Adventures.” All these peaceful adventures – from camping, hiking, all the way to concerts and tattoo trucks – are what makes this venue unlike any other in Upstate New York.
Another aspect of Wonderland that makes it stand out is that most attendees treat the concerts more like a festival, and dress up in costume for their events. “For TumbleDown and Biscoland there were a lot more extravagant outfits. From my experience, people love to go all-out and feel like themselves, when they can’t be themselves in the real world,” Martin explains.
Martin also encourages everyone to listen to music outdoors – one aspect of Wonderland that many venues can’t offer. “I love listening to music in any venue whatsoever … but there’s just something different about listening to music outside, sitting on the grass, dancing with your friends.”
Biscoland at Wonderland Forest – photo by Tara Gracer
As a Science and Forestry major, Shelby Martin paid close attention to a lot of the sustainability that goes into running a venue. She is happy with the outcome of the forest and how it has transformed into what it is today– a repurposing of a place that was already set up for human use, with the intention to enjoy the outdoors. She’s a big advocate for integrating humans into nature– so much of our time is spent indoors staring at screens, so any excuse to get outside is a good one. Martin says that she and her team worked to make sure that trails were safe for humans while taking special precautions to preserve the natural wildlife that already lived in the forest.
While environmentalism being integrated into music is a somewhat new idea, Martin and her team are doing their best to keep sustainability in mind as they move forward with the venue. Wonderland already has stonewater mitigation, which is used to guide water where to go, in order to lessen negative effects of hard rains on the already compact soil. Even with this and other sustainability measures, she already has plans in the works to make her venue more sustainable, such as composting, and adding detailed descriptions of what can and cannot be recycled. She also hopes to incorporate an educational aspect of the forest with signs to identify types of flora and fauna that make Wonderland unique.
Shelby Martin is part of a team of six to seven people, which branches out to an even larger team that makes the wheels turn. But she makes it clear that Wonderland is so much more than her and her coworkers: “But really, Wonderland relies on our locals and our fans that come see the music…” She emphasizes that while Wonderland is a beautiful adventure – the people that visit are what really makes it shine, as well as all the work she and her coworkers put in to make Wonderland what it is.
During the fall semester, Shelby Martin was taking nine class credits and six research credits– one must wonder how a full-time student can balance both academics and a job such as this one. Over the summer of 2023, she worked 60-80-hour work weeks, since that’s the best time to get “knit-picky” problems taken care of. Though she no longer works that same schedule – she cut her work to about 20 hours per week – she admits that it’s certainly difficult to be a student and balance that work with her job. Luckily, her team is very understanding of what it means to be a student, and the key to her balance was simply communication. “I told the whole team that [I had midterms that week] and everyone took something off of my plate for things that needed to be done around Wonderland…to make my plate a little lighter.”
When asked about vendors – they come from across the country with various food truck niches and other activities – Martin says that vendors actually contact Wonderland directly. In fact, there’s been so many that want to be involved, they’ve unfortunately had to refuse some due to the amount of applications. They particularly look for “a commitment to music as well as a commitment to their business.” They’ve had local vendors, but also vendors all the way from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and even Vermont.
Wonderland is so much more than a music venue. “We’re a campground, we’re an event center, we are a wedding venue. We are a multi-faceted space with 500 acres to work with and lots of trees and great space to do whatever, and be yourself.”
Multi-faceted Rochester alternative rock/indie band Public Water Supply has announced the release of their groovy new single “Leila” from their upcoming album General Strike which is set to be released in March 29.
Public Water Supplyconsists of five members blending and combining stunning vocals, remarkable instrumentalists, and distinctive songwriting. The band include Iggy Marino, Karis Gregory, Jr., Alex Brophy, Spencer Kornrich, and Tanner Kates.
“Leila” features catchy and eccentric guitars and continuous drumming that give it a sentimental and nostalgic vibe. While the song tells the story of two lovers on a cross-country crime spree, burning rubber, and living an intense but exhilarating life, it still manages to capture all the thrilling and anxious emotions that go along with it.
“We’ve been re-defining our music and experimenting with our sound all year long. I think our babies are really going to notice more of a rock n’ roll feel in these songs and basically, we take no prisoners,” declared frontman Iggy Marino stated, who also coined the affectionate term “babies” for their fans, which some find it odd yet unique.
With the announcement of a new track, the band has also announced the release of their new album General Strike to premier atalbum will premiere at sun festival in March.29 Tickets are on sale now.
“Leila” from Public Water Supply is available to stream everywhere. For more information about the band, visit here.
Benny The Butcher continues to ramp things up for his debut Def Jam release. Following the success of the Stove God Cooks assisted “One Foot In” and “Big Dog” featuring Lil Wayne, Benny goes iso in the basketball-themed single and video aptly titled “Bron.”
Benny The Butcher
The grainy, flickering visuals finds Benny in a Hapeville, GA school gymnasium along with local basketball players working on their game. Moreover, as the track’s soulful keyboard loop wraps around the orchestral sounding beat, Benny muscles his way into the spotlight with his emphatic delivery, letting off his customary warning shot, “The Butcher coming!”
In essence, the music video conveys that the BSF head-honcho’s claim for hip hop supremacy is a result of him outworking his adversaries. After all, the Buffalo native claimed on X (formerly known as twitter) that he would have the best Def Jam release since DMX’s debut-album. While a strong take, he stands as one of the few street rappers breaking into the mainstream. Ultimately landing a gold single with the J. Cole assisted “Johnny P’s Caddy.”
On “Bron,” Benny leans into his confident, charismatic and clever cadence while maintaining his role as a street general. He affirms, “In my city, I’m King Kong,” and cleverly confides this the songs hook, “I’m Bron. After my chip I told my folks back home so long. I moved my family and my bricks somewhere it’s warm.”
Everybody Can’t Go is set for release on January 26.
Ithaca-based indie pop-rock artist Rose Alaimo has announced the release of her latest single “Power Lines” underlining how we, as humans, are all inter-connected to one other like never before. This is the second single from her third full-length album, A Place To Go When You Need To Hide.
Akin to the likes of The Cranberries, with the indie sensibilities of Radiohead, Rose Alaimo is a veterinarian and vegetable farmer in her day-to-day life. Her new record exposes a whole other side of Alaimo as she finds her way through the darkness to exercise her willpower, freedom of choice, and self-empowerment. Rose Alaimo writes, sings, performs, programs, records, and co-produces her music. In 2019, she released her more acoustic debut album The Importance of Centers followed by the gritty and anthemicGrowin 2021.
The song ‘Power Lines’ is about the connections that exist between us, whether we are aware of them or not. One thing that was highlighted during COVID-19 was how unbelievably interconnected we are. How fast the virus spread across the world was astounding, and in the middle of everyone debating mask and vaccination mandates and people becoming increasingly stressed and angry and there being more and more division between everyone, a tree was blown over on my property, taking the power lines down in front of my house. I walked outside and, after the shock of seeing this healthy tree ripped up by the roots by a strong wind, I noticed the lines that were down.
Rose Alaimo.
“Power Lines” is a powerful and emotional track, featuring loud and booming electric guitar riffs, percussions that won’t quit, and Alaimo’s iconic voice. The single follows the more grounding lead track “Stars,” which is about finding an unexpected moment of stillness amid a crazy world.
“I saw how they were connected to my house, and how the main lines also connected to my neighbor’s house, and how those same lines connected every single house on the street. I never stopped to notice how physically connected all of these houses were by these power lines and how what happened to my house affected everyone else around me. It struck me as an interesting analogy to how we as humans are also all more connected to each other and to the world around us than we might initially assume,” she continued.
A Place To Go When You Need To Hide is out now and available via fine music platforms, including Bandcamp, Spotify andApple Music.
The five-piece rock band KILLCODE has released a new single ‘RIDE’ accompanied by an intense music video directed by David Swajeski.
KILLCODE is a band that plays aggressive, exciting live shows and are known for their pleasant blend of alternative and punk-rock. They are constantly refining their sound and making new waves in the rock music scene. The band has also supported other artists like Brett Scallions on the Re Fueled East Coast tour.
Formed by their vocalist/frontman Tom Morrisey, and guitarist Chas, the NYC-based rock band has enjoyed their ever-growing fan base both nationally and internationally. The band has continued to headline and sell out at prominent venues like Gramercy Theater and Bowery Ballroom.
The music video features a man haunted by the opportunities he lost, facing one shot of redemption as he looks back to the scenes of his happier times. Still, he must continue to spin the roulette wheel because quitting is never an option. The intense music video completes the imposing raw, and vibrant song that explores the wild fixation and attachment of life’s twists and turns in a city that never sleeps.
The new single is off KILLCODE’s latest album “Life, Death, Rock N’ Roll” produced by Joey Zampella (Life of Agony, Stereo Mud, Carnivore).
‘RIDE’ music video is available to stream on all major digital retailers. The band will also release another song on Jan. 20 called ‘Life, Death, Rock-N-Roll” produced by Joey Z.
Fresh for 2024, and fresh off the release of his first two singles, emerging Miami-based indie soul artist JOSCH (A.K.A. Josh Schwartz) showcases his musical palette with the funk and soul-filled track, “Fantasies Don’t Cry.”
Drawing from a wide pool of inspirations ranging from funk, R&B and electronic music to soul, pop and lyrically-based folk music, JOSCH spent 2022 touring with Zac Brown Band (on their “Out In The Middle” stadium tour) and currently tours with rock and roll legends Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew (on their “Remain In Light” tour) as well as disco funk band Cool Cool Cool, and of course indie funk band Turkuaz.
“The song “Fantasies Don’t Cry” combines bombastic horns by The Horn Section, funky 70’s clavinet from keyboardist Swatkins (Allen Stone, Scary Pockets), a driving back beat and Schwartz’s soulful vocals dripping with attitude. “Fantasies” is the frustrated confessions of a scorned lover who gets kicked to the curb without warning, replaced by someone else.
“The concept that one’s reality, the model of their universe they put together in their mind, can be shattered instantly by getting broken up with, that has always fascinated me. Whether it’s getting dumped, losing a friendship, getting fired from a job, we’ve all experienced some kind of event that makes us question our perception of others, of ourselves, even our own sanity. It makes you wonder if you can really trust your senses and your gut. My aim with “Fantasies” was to channel that heavy mass of emotions in a way that brings a bit of levity to the situation. I think having me sing the vocal melody in unison with myself but an octave higher lends some Scissor Sisters-esque sassiness and humor to what could other wise have been a pretty dark song.”
Josh Schwartz
The opening query, “Did I miss the meeting when you decided to dust me off the shelf?” moves quickly into the accusatory “your heart is fleeting, your mind will mirror someone else.” So begins the journey into the mind of the heartbroken and confused protagonist that waffles between deep hurt, bitter resentment, and a begrudging acceptance of the fact that “romance, to me, can die.”
While he recorded the song during the pandemic, Schwartz wrote “it “Fantasies” while in college, around 2007, for acoustic guitar. He says of the song: ““Fantasies” is one of the few songs I’ve written that’s stuck with me for years. When I showed it to [then-bandmate] Dave Brandwein, who was producing my album, he loved the soulful, R&B style choruses but hated the verses. On the demo, I played the song on acoustic guitar and swung the rhythm slightly, which Dave rightly pointed out sounded a bit cheesy, kind of 90’s pop rock. The verses just didn’t match the vibe of the chorus, or of the other songs for that matter. But I wasn’t ready to give up on the song.” So Brandwein and Schwartz put their heads together and realized that with a few tweaks to the chords, beat and instrumentation, they could transform the song into a 70’s-inspired funky strut. That’s what it would’ve remained were it not for the insistence on Schwartz’s part that they add horns.
“Dave suggested I shy away from adding a ton of horns, since our funk band at the time, Turkuaz, was horn-heavy and this album was my chance to show another side of me. While most of the other songs I recorded don’t have horns, I knew in my gut that this song needed a powerful horn arrangement to musically portray the depth of emotions the lyrics deal with.”
To make that happen, Schwartz tapped his longtime bandmate Chris Brouwers, who masterfully arranged the 6-piece horn arrangement heard on “Fantasies.” The horns you hear are courtesy of The Horn Section, which in addition to Brouwers on trumpet and Schwartz on baritone sax, includes Greg Sanderson on alto and tenor sax as well as Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated trombonist Quinn Carson. “I was worried it was going to be too much with six horns, but Chris’s arrangement beautifully dances around the guitar line and vocals and doesn’t get in the way. It was the final element the song needed to really pop.”
Mixing all the myriad elements of “Fantasies” was no easy feat, but mixing engineer Kyle VandeKerkhoff was more than up for the challenge, and mastering engineer Joe Bozzi made VandeKerkhoff’s mix shine. Rob O’Block, as with Schwartz’s first two singles, was heavily involved in the production of the song. His menacing, synthetic-sounding guitar playing evocative of The Black Keys soars in the instrumental sections, and he added other guitar and electric bass parts along with drum-replacing and other production elements that helped the song go from demo to done. Dave Brandwein, former leader of 9-piece funk band Turkuaz of which Schwartz was a part, produced “Fantasies.”
Brooklyn-based indie rock band kicked off 2024 with two great early garage-style singles ‘Fantasize’ and ‘Uno’ released on January 12.
Hipsy Gap is a five piece Brooklyn-based indie rock band. Their songs often combine all the catchiness of pop and also the energy of a rock band. The five of them come together from vastly different backgrounds and music inspirations and they draw from a wide range of artists like The Cranberries and Slowdive.
The band’s first single ‘Fantasize’ is a gloomy indie-rock track that features powerful vocals with perceptible synthesizers and strong guitar skills. The song demonstrates excellent teamwork and chemistry, which are crucial skills needed for a band.
The song borrows sounds from disparate genres, the song features ambient guitars with a reggae-inspired drumbeat and ethereal synthesizers that suggest a comatose dream state where memories flood with the vision at light speed.
In ‘Uno’ you can hear the Hipsy Gap leaning into their indie rock roots, creating a dreamlike track that pairs a slow pace with a soft, gleaming guitar. The band’s drummer describes the drum beat as “balls-to-the-wall” with an amped-up instrumental mood that mimics the song’s story of lust, death, and revenge.
I entirely agree with their appraisal as the final verse fully shows their intent, and it also contributes to the track’s upbeat and amped-up vibe. The song evokes some type of nostalgic feeling that will make the listeners question if they might have heard them before but can’t quite pinpoint where.
To cerebrate the release of the two songs, Hipsy Gap will headline their first set at an up-and-coming FirstLive BK on January 12 with support from Petruziello’s band Little Slicer and My Friends. Tickets can be purchased here.
Be sure to check out Hipsy Gap’s newest singles ‘‘Fantasize’ and ‘Uno’ and keep up with their social media @hipsygap.
