NYS Music 2024

Category: Special

  • Premiere: Pocket Bandits Share Sophomore Single “Midway”, Buffalo Debut September 27

    Ithaca trio Pocket Bandits have announced the release of their sophomore single “Midway” and their debut performance in Buffalo on September 27. Listen to premiere of the track below.

    Pocket Bandits, the dynamic instrumental organ trio that emerged on the Central New York music scene in the fall of 2023, release “Midway,” on Friday, September 27. The band also makes their Buffalo debut that evening, hitting the stage at Nietzche’s with award-winning Boston soul singer-songwriter Jill McCracken and Buffalo local artist Sara Elizabeth.

    Equal parts light and dark, shiny and grungy, melodious and angular, the new single captures all the intensity and fun of the trio. On the heels of their debut release from the spring of 2024, “The Pocket Bandit,” the progressive funk-fusion trio return with another live show favorite. “Midway” deftly splits the difference between inviting danceability and avant-garde exploration, synthesizing the extremes of the three-piece’s identity into one jubilant track.

    The track is captivating to the ears of many genre-enjoyers. “Midway” encapsulates every persona and sound that each member possesses. It is dynamic, powerful and diverse in taste. There’s a little something for everyone here, and this is a staple of Pocket Bandits’ style.

    They are a modern twist on the old-school organ trio: the power of a big band in a tiny package. The group is also performing a free hometown show that weekend, on the final day of the Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival, Sunday, September 29 at 4pm on the Dewitt Park Stage.

    With “Midway,” Pocket Bandits expand on “The Pocket Bandit” in their grand ambitions for their new collaboration. With more shows and more music on deck as 2024 moves into 2025, Pocket Bandits invite you to hop aboard and follow along for the ride.

    Thrilling your senses and filling the dance floor, the trio engage their audiences with melodic, dynamic original compositions, as well as crowd-pleasers by The Beatles, Chappell Roan, Steely Dan, and even the Super Mario Brothers.

    For more information on the Pocket Bandits, their new release “Midway” and to purchase tickets to their show in Buffalo, click here.

  • United Sounds NYC Festival Comes to Brookyln on October 25-26

    United Sounds has announced the inaugural United Sounds NYC Festival which kicks off in Red Hook, Brooklyn on October 25 and 26. The show lasts from 4pm to 12am both nights and is 18+ to enter.

    United Sounds

    The festival was created to fill the significant gap for independent music in New York City’s fall cultural calendar. The two-day event will feature performances by Blonde Redhead, Sunflower Bean, Les Savy Fav, Model/Actriz, Man Man, Monobloc and Peel Dream Magazine, with additional artists, DJs, neighborhood events and more to be announced in the coming weeks.

    The United Sounds NYC Festival takes place at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn. Pioneer Works is an art and science-led cultural center that hosts various exhibit, performances, and workshops throughout the year. This fall, United Sounds brings an otherwise musically barren autumn a blast of vibrancy and sound.

    Also performing at the festival is the notable indie rock group The Dismemberment Plan who have just recently played their first show in a decade. The group sees the stage during the festival, making it their first full-length festival performance in many years. This is definitely not a performance to miss.

    The Dismemberment Plan

    Friday, October 25th Line-Up

    The Dismemberment Plan

    Sunflower Bean

    Model/Actriz

    + more 

    Saturday, October 26th Line-Up

    Blonde Redhead

    Les Say Fav

    Man Man

    Monobloc

    Peel Dream Magazine

    “We wanted to start an annual music festival in New York City during the fall season, in the spirit of great indie-focused events of the past like CMJ. Our goal is to bring celebrated independent artists and music fans together for a fun weekend in a great setting. We were drawn to Red Hook to launch the event because it has such a welcoming seaside community vibe, that feels like you’re out of the city, yet it’s right there across the water from lower Manhattan.” 

    Diane Perini, talent booker

    For more information on the United Sounds NYC Festival and to purchase tickets for one or both nights, click here.

  • Starcleaner Reunion Release new single “Plein Air”

    NYC band Starcleaner Reunion have released “Plein Air” and announced the release of their Cafe Life EP, out September 20.

    Starcleaner Reunion
    Photo Credit: Catrina Kokkoris

    New York City-based, New Jersey natives, Starcleaner Reunion have released their second single from their upcoming EP, Café Life, due Sept 20. Singer Jo Roman, guitarists Pat Drummond & Neil Torman, and bassist Adam Kenter have been making music together since high school in New Jersey, After meeting drummer Sam Unger in New York in 2022, the band released their debut EP Club Estrella, a collection of their earliest ideas. The band has received praise from magazines such as FLOOD, Stereogum, and Paste in the recent past.

    “Café Life is indebted to a certain slowness, a ‘not-hurrying’ – title is a reference to a certain European way of life – refusing to rush anything and taking one’s time.”

    Starcleaner Reunion

    This new EP was recorded in a makeshift home studio that allowed the band more time to experiment during the recording process. Including bringing on Ruben Radlauer of Model/Actriz for mixing duties. Last month the band released their first single of the cycle, “The Hand That I Put Down.”

    The band refers to themselves as “Euro-pop,” and it is a shockingly fitting moniker. French band Air immediately comes to mind while listening to their music, but Starcleaner Reunion puts it on the dancefloor. Jo Roman’s lyrics describe feelings rather than events which produce images that seem to only be viewed through a warped, foggy, mirror. “Take it back/stepping back the time/Every step back and every single moment.”

    If you like, Stereolab, of Montreal, The Hit Parade, Broadcast, Sweet Trip, or Air, you’ll love Starcleaner Reunion.

    Starcleaner Reunion Upcoming Tour Dates:

    Sep 20: Binghamton, NY @ The Bundy Museum

    Oct 24: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Hello Mary

    Nov 1: Philidelphia PA @ Spruce Street Harbor Park

  • Spyro Gyra Release “50/50″ off new Album “Jubilee”

    Buffalo jazz band, Spyro Gyra, have released a new single “50/50” commemorating their 50th anniversary.

    The group have also announced an upcoming anthology album out Nov. 8 that covers their first decade of recorded music. They hit three cities in NY on their upcoming tour, Patchogue, Peekskill and Manhattan in 2025.

    Spyro Gyra

    Since 1974 when Spyro Gyra first came together in Buffalo, they began experimenting with a fusion of jazz with R&B, Latin, and world music that has lead to great success and many achievements such as 13 Grammy nominations along with multiple Gold & Platinum albums. Their newest album, Jubilee, is an anthology compilation album that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Spyro Gyra’s formation. The album will contain classic songs and fan favorites from the years 1977-1987, including the Billboard hits, “Shaker Song” and “Morning Dance.”

    This year the band, whose current line up consists of, Jay Beckenstein (saxophone), Julio Fernandez (guitar), Chris Fischer (keyboards), Scott Ambush (bass), and Lionel Cordew (drums) will embark on a world headline tour, which will land them in New York for three dates in Patchogue, Peekskill, and Manhattan.

    Their new single, “50/50,” is out now through Amherst Records/Reservoir Recordings. The song is a precursor to the upcoming album Jubilee, which will be released on Friday, Nov. 8 on 2CD and 2LP gold and purple colored vinyl which you can preorder from their websire. These editions will include never-before-seen photos from the band and exclusive liner notes from veteran music journalist Jonathan Widran.

    For more information, visit their website.

    Sypro Gyra 2024/25 Tour:

    28 – New Orleans, LA – International Arts Festival

    10/1 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre

    10/3 – Nashville, TN – City Winery

    10 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery

    10/11 – Chicago, IL – City Winery

    10/13 – Bethesda, MD – Bethesda Theater

    11/1 – Assens, Denmark – Tobaksgaarden

    11/2 – Zurich, Switzerland – JAZZNOJAZZ Festival

    11/4 – Bad Meinberg, Germany – Hotel Bad Meinberg

    11/5 – Zoetermeer, Netherlands – De Boerderij

    11/9 – Stuttgart, Germany – BIX Jazzclub

    11/10 – Milan, Italy – Blue Note Milano

    11/11 – Leverkusen, Germany – Leverkusener Jazztage

    11/21 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s

    11/22 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s

    11/24– Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts

    12/1 – Bend, OR – Riverhouse Convention Center

    3/5 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theater

    3/6 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theater

    3/7 – Ormond Beach, FL – Ormond Beach PAC

    3/8 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Parker

    3/9 – Melbourne, FL – King Center

    3/13 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theater

    3/14 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley Theater

    3/15 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater

    5/8-11 – Seattle, WA – Jazz Alley

    6/14 – Sony Hall – New York, NY

    6/26 – Blue Gate PAC – Shipshewana, IN

  • Monobloc, NYC’s DIY Sensation Takes The Global Stage with “Irish Goodbye”

    In the fall of 2022, Timothy Waldron, lead vocalist of the emerging band Monobloc, found himself captivated by a live performance of Eric Burdon and War’s “Spill The Wine” while navigating life in a new city.

    Photo Credit: Julia Tarantino

    This moment of inspiration sparked the creation of their latest single, “Irish Goodbye,” which premieres a post-punk sound, explaining the pressures of being young in a new city, a topic many can relate to as it can be challenging adapting in a new place. Not to mention a situation the band has experienced, giving credibility to their point of view. Storytelling prowess and minimalist instrumentation position them as a band to watch as they carve out their own lane in NYC’s vibrant DIY landscape.

    Helmed by vocalist Timothy Waldron and bassist Michael Silverglade are alongside Zach Pockrose on drums and guitarists Ben Scofield and Nina Luders, each contributing their emotionally charged sounds. The band merges pop with a gritty post-punk attitude therefore, drawing inspiration from their come up in New York’s underground scene.

    Monobloc gained notable attention for creating the viral Minecraft music festival, Block by Blockwest. This innovative virtual event combined their passion for music with the popular gaming platform, allowing fans to experience live performances in a unique, immersive environment.

    Their storytelling abilities shines along with their patterned instrumentals, making them stand out as an innovative force. Additionally, their distinctive talent and the success of their first two singles, “Where is My Garden,” and “I’m Just Trying To Love You,” it shows that with their irresistible catchy melodic rock sound, they are just getting into the groove of things.

    Accompanied by their thoughtful narrative point of view, paired with raw, minimalist instrumentation, makes them a standout act. On the other hand, making a splash in sold-out residency at Pianos and performances at major festivals like Rock En Seine and All Points East has given them a chance to propel onto the global stage.

    Live Tour Dates:

    OCTOBER, 26 at United Sounds NYC Festival – Brooklyn, NY

    NOVEMBER, 7 at Iceland Airways – Reykjavík, IS

    NOVEMBER, 8 at Deaf Institute – Manchester, UK (Debut Manchester headline)

    NOVEMBER, 9 at Third Man – London, UK (Debut London headline)

    NOVEMBER, 19 at Corona Capital Fest – Mexico city, MX

    See for more information monobloc.online

  • Sandra Kluge Unveils Third Single “Beholden to No One”


    Acclaimed Brooklyn based musician and composer Sandra Kluge has released her third single, “Beholden to No One”.

    Beholden to No One

    Brooklyn based tap percussionist, performer, educator, and musician Sandra Kluge channels the deepest parts of her heart and soul in every piece and performance. Wrought with self reflection, honesty, and contemplation, her works channel what she wants to put out into the world using the full breadth of her skills across music and dance.

    Kluge began dancing at the age of 10, spending the following years learning under the greats and endless hours of self-study that would later lead her to stages at the legendary Tap Ahead Festival, tap club Cologne, and Soundspace Philadelphia. In addition to performances of her own, Kluge shares the results of her years of practice and routine with her students at the American Tap Dance Foundation and Mark Morris Dance Center, in addition to teaching students from around the world virtually.

    Just as reflecting the self is a through line in her lyricism, Kluge reflects all aspects of her life in her production. Utilizing her life-long passion in tap, Kluge channels the sounds of the dance into her percussion- the tap shoes themselves transcending the role of dance equipment to become instruments as she performs.

    Her newest release “Beholden to No One” centers this unique and deeply personal form of percussion, a steady constant under the lyrics and mantra of “I am my best friend, beholden to no one”. The sounds of dance intertwine with ethereal synth textures, multidimensional guitar arrangements, and serene vocals above an odd time signature and intricate polyrhythmic structures that all culminate in a stirring experience of emotional self-determination.

    A piece entirely its own, “Beholden to No One” originated from a therapy session in which Kluge realized that her existence is not tied to the permission or approval of anyone else. Empowered by the realization of all that she is capable of when no other voice is given the time of day, she is “beholden to no one”.

    In addition to the track’s release, Kluge has published the official music video for “Beholden to No One” in which she walks through countless city settings in flowing bright clothing and an effortless yet quiet confidence, truly embodying the self-sufficient and self-loving attitude reflected in the song’s lyrics.

    Only the third song of Kluge’s musical career, “Beholden to No One” marks her as an artist carving her own path- and an artist that needs no one’s permission but her own to do so.

    To learn more about “Beholden to No One,” her other releases, and her story, please visit Sandra Kluge’s website here. 

  • Watch Consider the Source “Mouthbreather” off Latest Release “The Stare”

    Consider the Source has released their eighth studio album, The Stare, along with a pro-shot video for the track “Mouthbreather.”

    the stare consider the source

    Formed in 2004 after a particularly successful jam session, Consider the Source has been releasing music and touring the globe for two decades now. Influenced by Turkish, Bulgarian, North and South Indian styles filtered through jazz, rock, and psychedelic sounds, the band’s sound can only be encompassed as “Consider the Source”. 

    The group’s newest release, The Stare, is the product of a story from years prior to Consider the Source’s conception. In 1992 David Prater, the producer of The Stare, worked on the up and coming progressive rock band Dream Theater’s breakthrough album- a work each of the founding members of Consider the Source absolutely fell in love with. Years later the members had found themselves in a band of their own, and in a full circle moment as the new album became a culmination of both the band and Prater’s talents.

    Tour cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic and spread across the country remotely, Consider the Source reached out to Prater after a chance encounter at a small local venue a few years prior that had formed the connection. Excited to return to a semblance of normalcy and routine, the band and Prater collaborated initially over Zoom before eventually road tripping to a house in which the only things to do were eat, sleep, and talk music. 

    The Stare captures the rare energy of the pandemic and the live artist’s experience- all of the creative energy that had been bottlenecked is on full display, and it’s beyond evident in each second of the tracks. It’s a creative feat that defies the emotional limits of isolation, leaving everything out on the metaphorical stage- a product of the pandemic, yes, but also a work that showcases how music is inherently a magnetic force for community and togetherness in the face of uncertainty.

    In addition to the album’s release, Consider the Source has released a pro-shot video for the final track, “Mouthbreather.” A stunning seven and a half minute performance, the band’s showmanship is on full display.

    To see Consider the Source on tour and learn more about their supporting acts as well as acts they’re supporting, visit their website here. The full list of upcoming dates is below.

    TOUR DATES

    09.20  Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA

    09.21  The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA 

    10.02  Lark Hall – Albany, NY 

    10.04  King’s Rook – Erie, PA 

    10.05  Folkfaces Fest – Darien Center, NY

    10.31  Electric Haze – Worcester, MA 

    11.15  Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ

    11.21  The Parlour – Providence, RI

    11.22  Industry – Huntington, NY 

    11.23  The Abbey Bar @ ABC – Harrisburg, PA

    12.12  830 North – Fort Collins, CO

    12.13  Globe Hall – Denver, CO

    12.14  Public House – Crested Butte, CO

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

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

    HARVEST Fest

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

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

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

      Corning Harvest Fest Schedule

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

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

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

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

      Learn more about Harvest Fest here.

    • The FMs Release Joy Division Cover

      Following the announcement of their next album, 51122, NYC-based punk rock band The FMs have released the album’s first single, a cover of Joy Division’s “A Means to an End”.

      The FMs Joy Division

      Formed by founding members Matte Namer and Frankie Rex in 2016, The FMs’ foundations and legacy thus far are unapologetically punk and unapologetically queer. Brought together by the shared experiences of coming out as transgender and shared adoration for synthesizers, the two realized their debut LP Machinacene Epoch, released in 2017. The band’s performances quickly took on the same counter-culture personality their sound contained- forming a tight knit community around their SVBVERT shows on a ferry boat in the industrial canals of Bushwick, where they would continue to perform and produce in the years following.

      After the success of their commitment to a more traditional approach to music making with their first release and 2,000 hours in the studio, The FMs had created their next double-LP, PINK + BLACK. With its own personality, PINK + BLACK marked a softer and more personal point in the duo’s sound. Tragically, prior to the release of such a deeply personal labor of love, Rex passed away from a fentanyl overdose. This aching loss put a pause on the project, but two years later Namer decided to release the work posthumously- ultimately, not even death could stop Frankie Rex’s voice from being heard. 

      After the release of PINK + BLACK and recognition from names including the GLAAD foundation, Namer reformed the FMs in Ithaca, introducing trans musicians Bubba Crumrine on guitar, Basim Hussain on synth and keys, and Nick Scollard on drums. PINK + BLACK and the new line up made their debut at the first- ever Frankie Fest, a tribute to Frankie Rex and fundraiser for Chosen Family Law Center.

      The FMs Joy Division

      The FM’s upcoming release, 51122, is another tribute to Rex- the title corresponding with May 11, 2022, the day they passed. A nod to one of the founding duo’s favorite bands, as well as Rex’s favorite song of theirs, A Means to an End is the lead single of the album. 

      Composed of demos recorded years prior, the album’s producer David Werner simplified and elevated the track, doing both the original song and Rex’s voice justice. Containing likely some of the final recordings of their vocals that will be released, A Means To an End and the FM’s upcoming album is not a quiet goodbye to Rex- it is a bold reminder to the world that they will not be forgotten, immortalized both by their own voice and their band’s never-ending love.

      It’s also a bit somber being the last music that I think will ever be released with Frankie’s incredible, powerful, unique voice. I think there’s something about that that makes me remember they are really gone, like an orchid blooming from a coffin nail. 51122 is the date Frankie passed away, but is also a type of symbol in a way, or perhaps a word. I’m not sure what that meaning is yet, perhaps the orchid needs to grow.”

      – Matte Namer

      Following the release of 51122 this November, The FMs will celebrate with a record release show in New York City. More details will be revealed shortly. To keep up to date, visit their website here.

      To pre-order or pre-save 51122, please visit here.

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

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

      Shower Curtain

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

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

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

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

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

      Learn more about Shower Curtain here.