Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Mother Mother and Cavetown Join Forces for Upcoming Co-Headlining Tour

    Canadian Alt-rock group Mother Mother and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Cavetown come together for a huge co-headlining tour across North America this summer. The tour will see two dates at NYC’s The Rooftop at Pier 17 on July 9 and 10.

    Mother Mother, known for being Canada’s number one alt-rock export, and Cavetown, indie/bedroom-pop artist who’s amassed over a billion global streams. Together, the two headliners are certain to make noise across the country this summer. The tour will be promoting new music from both acts. Mother Mother has released their latest single, “Nobody Escapes,” and Cavetown has announced the release of new music to come sometime in early 2024.

    Mother mother Cavetown
    Mother Mother in 2021

    Mother Mother Cavetown 2024 North American Tour Dates

    June 7               Phoenix, AZ                   Arizona Financial Theatre

    June 8               Los Angeles, CA            The Torch

    June 9               San Diego, CA               Gallagher Square at Petco Park

    June 11             Berkeley, CA                  The Greek

    June 14             Troutdale, OR                Edgefield

    June 15             Vancouver, BC              Rogers Arena

    June 16             Seattle, WA                   Seattle Zoo

    June 18             Salt Lake City, UT         Granary Live

    June 20             Morrison, CO                 Red Rocks Amphitheatre

    June 22             Dallas, TX                      South Side Ballroom

    June 23             Austin, TX                      Moody Amphitheatre at Waterloo Park

    June 25             Houston, TX                  713 Music Hall

    June 28             Miami, FL                      FPL Solar Amphitheater

    June 29             Orlando, FL                   Orlando Amphitheater

    June 30             Atlanta, GA                    Coca-Cola Roxy

    July 2                Washington, DC            The Anthem

    July 3                Philadelphia, PA            Skyline Stage at The Mann

    July 5                Toronto, ON                   Budweiser Stage

    July 7                Boston, MA                    MGM Music Hall at Fenway

    July 9               New York, NY                The Rooftop at Pier 17

    July 10              New York, NY               The Rooftop at Pier 17

    July 12              Sterling Heights, MI        Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre 

    July 13              Chicago, IL                    Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

    Artist pre-sales go live on January 22 at 11 am, with general on-sale beginning on January 26 at 10 am. Click HERE for ticket information. To hear Mother Mother’s latest single, see below.

  • “Feels Nice” – Crystal Caverns’ Latest Single Bursts on the Scene

    On December 22, Indie-Pop duo Crystal Caverns, hailing from Rockaway Beach, Queens released their single titled, “Feels Nice.”

    crystal caverns

    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.

    Upcoming Crystal Caverns Shows:

    1/24/24 @ Mercury Lounge – 8PM

    Listen to Crystal Caverns’ new single, “Feel’s Nice”below.

    https://soundcloud.com/crystalcavernsmusic/feels-nice
  • Joshua West to Celebrate 30 with 3 Shows, 3 Bands in 3 Cities

    January is in full swing and while the month is quiet for live music, drummer and multi-talented musician Joshua West has a few shows around the state that are well worth checking out, including a run of shows around his 30th birthday in Albany, Plattsburgh and Burlington.

    joshua west

    A singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist born and raised in Upstate NY on the shores of Lake Champlain, surrounded by the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains to the south and the Green Mountains of VT to the east.

    From a young age, Joshua began studying an array of instruments and musical mediums ranging from orchestral percussion to vocal performance, rhythm guitar to world music. He has performed with numerous bands across the United States and internationally and shared stages with The Wailers, O.A.R., SOJA, Black Uhuru, Michael Franti, Rusted Root, Goose among others.

    With a blend of reggae, hip hop, folk and soul, meshed with conscious lyrics that question the state of our world today, West will be celebrating his 30th birthday with stops in his ‘hometowns,’ starting at Lark Hall on January 25th, performing with Quantum Cosmic, then heads up to Burlington for a show at Nectar’s the next night to perform with Annie in the Water, then closes out the weekend at Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh with West’s new band on January 27.

    That new band – the Joshua West Band – integrates West’s original music that hasn’t found it’s way into his other groups where he is a drummer or percussionist. West’s vocals will be front and center with his eponymous band, stepping out as a guitarist, vocalist and percussionist. The lineup features Jack McChesney (Satyrdagg) on drums, Mowgli Giannitti (Satyrdagg, The Reflexions, Heavy Nettles) on bass, Ty Miller (The Reflexions) on guitar/vocals, Van Garrison (All Night Boogie Band) on keys, and Connor Dunn (Let’s Be Leonard) on saxophone.

    Coming up in February, Annie in the Water will kick’s off Winter Carnival at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake on February 2, prepared to warm up the crowd even if the temperatures are below freezing outside.

    joshua west

    West has also recently released Let Your Voice Be Heard, and is back in the studio, currently recording “Something in the Water,” inspired by the pocket of roots reggae music that has come out of the Finger Lakes (John Brown’s Body, 10 ft. Ganja Plant, Thunderbody, Mosaic Foundation, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Root Shock). West shares that his collaborators include an all-time favorite rhythm section of Tommy Benedetti (John Brown’s Body, Dub Apocalypse) and Nate Edgar (The Nth Power, John Brown’s Body) along with members of Giant Panda and featured vocalists. 

    joshua west

    Joshua West’s recent debut album Let Your Voice Be Heard is now available on all major streaming platforms. 

  • Governors Ball 2024 Lineup Announced – Featuring Post Malone, The Killers and SZA

    The Governors Ball returns in 2024 for their 14th year, settling into its home at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for an exciting weekend filled with music and festivities.

    The upcoming festival promises a stellar lineup, with headline performances from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA.

    From June 7-9, This iconic NYC music festival will have music enthusiasts gather in one of the city’s most iconic spaces to witness equally iconic performances.

    governors ball 2024 lineup
    2024 Gov Ball Lineup

    The 2024 lineup for Governors Ball showcases a diverse range of musical genres, also featuring an expanded presence of Latin music, with artists like Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, and Farruko, among others. The weekend kicks off and concludes with powerhouse performances by Post Malone and Rauw Alejandro.

    Friday and Sunday also feature special performances by the School of Rock Queens and Brooklyn, highlighting the talent of these performance-based music schools that cater to individuals of all ages. The house bands of these schools will deliver two exceptional performances during the festival. Among the lineup, New York natives such as Arcy Drive, Beach Fossils, and Quarters of Change add a local flair to the event.

    Lizzo, Governors Ball, 6/9/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    For eager fans looking to secure their spots, can  sign up for a presale passcode now for the SMS Presale happening THIS Thursday, 1/18 from 11am – 1pm ET.

    All ticket prices will increase on Thursday at 1pm ET when the Public On-Sale begins. Ticket prices are all-inclusive with no fees on top.  

    For 2024, Gov Ball is pleased to announce two new ticket types – 2-Day bundles and Ultimate Tickets. The 2-Day bundle allows fans to customize their festival experience over the weekend and attend any two days of their choosing at any ticket type. 

    Stay tuned to NYS Music for the latest updates on Governors Ball 2024, including lineup updates, and the eagerly awaited general sale dates, yet to be announced.

    In the meantime, relive the excitement of the 2023 edition by checking out our recaps for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    Kendrick Lamar at Gov Ball 2023 – photo by Lucas Kurzweil
  • Public Water Supply Release New Catchy Single, “Leila”

    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 Supply

    Public Water Supply consists 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 at album 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

  • Ithaca-based indie Pop Artist Rose Alaimo Releases “Power Lines”

    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 anthemic Grow in 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 BandcampSpotify and Apple Music.

  • Hearing Aide: Alex Northrup “Turning Point”

    Discover the spunky world of Turning Point, an imaginative album by Alex Northrup, released on January 13.

    Alex Northrup is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the wonderful and friendly Rochester. Instead of creating songs on the guitar or piano from start to finish as he usually did, Alex decided to go on a spontaneous recording journey for Turning Point by aimlessly recording tracks. “My usual process is to write the song start to finish either on guitar or piano, with a complete lyric/melody/chord change, then work out the arrangement. This time, I was creating songs out of bits and pieces of recorded tracks. The arrangements and productions were coming before the actual songs!” added Alex.

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point was created over the span of three years, creating songs out of bits and pieces of recorded tracks. To Alex, it was important to experiment with different sounds and colors. However, he discovered about a dozen of these “songs” that were largely finished and appeared to belong together. He spent a lot of time perfecting those, and the result was the album.

    It’s definitely the most diverse sounding project I’ve done, but there are enough threads that tie the whole thing together – some chord changes, an old Univox drum machine, and a Mellotron that was at our house for a couple months. These songs would never have existed without that process – they’re just not things I would have thought up on an acoustic guitar.

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point features members of Big Nobody, Overhand Sam & Bad Weapon, Pleistocene, Ginger Faye Bakers. The release party for Turning Point will be held at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester on Saturday, January 13. Expect to see exciting special guests such as The Bat Sisters (Katie Morey & Cammy Enaharo) and light show by Rainbow Full of Sound (Brian Blatt & Pat Doyle).

    Pre-order “Turning Point” here.

  • Longwave Share New Official Video For ‘Tidal Wave’

    Acclaimed Brooklyn indie rock band Longwave has released a new music video for the track ‘Tidal Wave’ off of their latest breakthrough album The Strangest Things.

    The new video was released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album’s release and it was shot by Jason Oliva on tour in the UK and Europe from 2002 to 2003, and edited together by Bill Moldt.

    The band will reissue their critically acclaimed album The Strangest Things on Jan. 26 and fans can preorder the limited-edition red vinyl now here including signed versions while supplies last.

    The Strangest Things was the band’s second studio album after ‘Endsongs’ in 2000, and was produced by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Weezer) at his studio in Fredonia, New York & released by RCA. The 12-track record features the band’s seminal singles like ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’, ‘Pool Song’, ‘Tidal Wave’, and more. 

    To mark the occasion, The band will return to NYC to headline at Bowery Ballroom the night after its release on January 27, 2024. They will play the new record in full. Tickets are on sale now at boweryballroom.com

    Also, their limited-edition vinyl release will include the 12 tracks; and can be purchased through the band’s website .

  • Lucas Garrett Releases New Single “Going Home”

    Multi-faceted Upstate musician Lucas Garrett has announced the release of his evocative and groovy new single “Going Home.”

    Lucas Garrett is a musician from Upstate New York, who has played professionally for over nine years. He has a unique style that blends progressive rock, folk, new wave, and indie, with an expansive discography. With the new track announcement, Garrett is also welcoming his newest band member, Collette, a multi-instrumentalist, and writing partner.

    Some people don’t get do-overs with one another in life. This song celebrates the moments where this ends up being possible. Best friends coming back together after years apart and a lifetime of experiences later… how do they find each other again? Better? Worse? Who knows? But the ride and the journey is worth it.

    Lucas Garrett

    “Going Home” has a nostalgic and homey feel to it, incorporating melodic and groovy guitars and percussion that won’t quit. Tackling topics of camaraderie, and nostalgia, the video for “Going Home” incorporates select live performances of Garret and crew over the years. With unique arrangements and enticing lyricism, the track encompasses the feelings that going home, wherever that may be, has over you, and all the exciting and nerve-wracking emotions that come with it.

    “Going Home” from Lucas Garrett is available to stream everywhere. For more information about Garrett, visit here.

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