With the announcement of their highly anticipated debut album, All My Friends Are Cattle, set for release on September 6,, Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry has once again set the music world on fire. The news follows the release of their incredible new song, “Kikiyon,” accompanied by a visually stunning music video.
“Kikiyon” is a raw and intense song that pulsates with rebellious energy. This song demands attention and makes an impression, whether you’re headbanging to the beats or wondering the meaning behind the lyrics. Listen to “Kikiyon” below.
Moreover, their EP Validate Me cemented Gooseberry’s place as a major player in the music industry. With a growing fan base and more than 500K Spotify streams, the band started The Validation Tour and impressed audiences.
All My Friends Are Cattle is expected to be an unmatched experience that shows the band’s versatility and inventiveness. Additionally, the album travels a wide musical setting, from lyrically-driven ballads to punch-you-in-the-mouth punk rock. With songs like “Golden,” “Cherry Blossoms,” and “Bitter,” Gooseberry creates an intense vibe that cuts across genres.
Evin Rossington on drums and Will Hammond on bass give a powerful rhythm section that backs up frontman Asa Daniels‘s dynamic songwriting. Additionally, GRAMMY-winning artists Phil Joly and James “Jimmy T” Meslin add their production and mixing skills, guaranteeing that All My Friends Are Cattle is a masterwork.
Further, Gooseberry is getting ready for a cross-country tour as excitement builds for their music. With All My Friends Are Cattle leading the charge, 2024 is shaping to be their year.
Prof is a Minnesota rapper and founder of the independent label Stophouse Music Group. He is most known for his witty lyricism, a personal favorite being “I moved further from the bank so I could laugh longer” from his raunchy hit “Tarzan.” Prof brought his Gallery Tour and a number of hits to Racket in Manhattan on April 29. Prof has made numerous stops in New York over the years, slowly growing his fanbase, though, by his own admission, not as quickly as he has grown in other markets.
Futuristic opened the show, jumping around the stage with his videographer. His performance felt deserving of its own show, which is convenient because he will return to New York next month for his own headliner tour. He also debuted a new song with a Prof feature that will be released next week. The second opener, Grip, was equally impressive and invited some fans to rap with him onstage. Grip first introduced a fan he had run into and become friends with after rapping Eminem’s verse from Grip’s song “Walkthrough!” Though the fan was obviously nervous and had some trouble with the mic, he got the crowd hyped and made the song extra special with his excitement.
To start Prof’s set, his DJ, Willie Wonka, came out first onto an empty stage adorned with cardboard cutouts of marble statues, ancient (plastic) urns, Greek columns, and crates full of artifacts. He began “casing” the stage like an art museum while donning a ski mask and carrying a duffle bag and flashlight. After Wonka finally gave the all-clear, Prof burst out onto the stage with “Feed the Dogs” and more energy than most people have in their entire lives. A gallery is an ironic concept for Prof, who feels more like a bull in a china shop in most settings.
Prof wore a mathcing teal ski mask and windbreaker combo, pink flamingo socks, and white driving shoes. He has a stage presence like no other and immediately began mean-mugging the crowd while whipping bottled water all over the audience and stage and waving his trusty white towel. After two songs, Prof slowly removed the mask, his face twisted in horror at his own reveal.
Later when Wonka came out from behind his DJ table to twerk for the audience for the second time that night, Prof used that same towel to slap Wonka’s butt. Prof is not one to focus on his birthday as much as his music. That didn’t stop his crew and the team at Racket from bringing out a huge sheet cake on stage with dozens of candles for him. The audience joined in, singing “Happy Birthday” before Prof eventually moved into his next song.
Now, Prof continues his tour down south and ends with a show back home in Minneapolis. Hopefully, Profâs success across North America translates into bigger shows in NYC. He puts on a great show, and it would be even better to share it with a huge crowd.
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra has announced its final concert of the 2023-24 season, Passing the Baton, a program featuring D’indy: Chanson et Danses, Op. 50, and Vivaldi: The Four Seasons held at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca on May 19.
The CCO was founded in 1976 and is officially designated “Ithaca’s Orchestra.” Each season includes an Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, a Holiday concert, a Family Concert Series, and the long-standing Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which earned the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. In 2017, the CCO added a Youth Orchestra, which offers a high quality symphony orchestra experience for youth in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region of New York State.
Taking the podium for his last concert as Interim Music Director, Grant Cooper will conduct the orchestra in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the CCO’s very own concertmaster, Christina Bouey, as soloist. The program will also feature CCO winds in D’Indy’s Chanson et Danses, Op. 50. The CCO is currently completing its selection of the next Music Director and will be announcing the name at the concert.
Grant Cooper, a native of New Zealand, served as the CCO’s interim music director for two seasons after serving as the orchestra’s director at Ithaca College. The Houston Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Syracuse Opera, and many more have been among his numerous guest conducting engagements. Along with the Kennedy Center Orchestra, he has had notable debuts on the international scene with the Malaysian Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Cooper was also the creative director and conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra in addition to being the resident conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
Also performing at the Passing the Baton, is Concertmaster Christina Bouey who was hailed by the New York Times for playing “beautifully,” by the New York Post, “When violinist Christina Bouey spun out that shimmering tune, I thought I died and went to Heaven.” Her recent prizes include Grand Prize at the Vietnam International Chamber Competition, first prize at the Schoenfeld International String Competition in the chamber division, Grand Prize at the Fischoff Competition, 1st place in the American Prize, and 2nd prize at the Osaka International Chamber Competition.
In addition, Bouey founded and plays in the Ulysses String Quartet. She performs on a 1790 Storioni violin that a kind private donor has lent her. As a soloist, Bouey has appeared with numerous orchestras, including the Banff Orchestra, Greenwich Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Salina Symphony, River Cities Symphony, Symphony of the Mountains, Tonkünstler Ensemble, Metro Chamber Orchestra, Bergen Symphony, and Prince Edward Island Symphony.
For more information and tickets, fans can visit CCOithaca.org or contact the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Box Office at 607-273-8981 or info@CCOithaca.org.
The Park Theater Foundation has unveiled its highly anticipated May events which include diverse shows and performances at the Park Theater in Glens Falls.
One of the most notable events of the season will begin on May 2, with “The Park Presents:” Fellow Pynins. The Park Theater Foundation will host the Oregon-based contemporary folk duo, Fellow Pynins, live on May 2nd. Fellow Pynins are known to have a keen and bucolic sense of vocal harmony and song craft anchored in the balladry tradition. They are songwriters, collectors, and interpreters who were previously described as “Folk Music with a hefty touch of whimsy…”
There are a variety of shows and performances scheduled for most of May, from May 2 to 31. Some other performances will include Ariel Posen, The Matt Niedbalski Trio, The GNP Trio, Jimi Woodul, Little Saints, comedians Matt Vita and Joe Pontillo and more.
Additional May Events and Lineup
“The Park Presents:” Ariel Posen (5/9/24):
The Park Theater Foundation will present “The Park Presents” that will feature the acclaimed virtuosic guitarist and singer-songwriter, Ariel Posen, live on May 9th. Ariel Posen’s music occupies the space between genres. It’s a rootsy sound that nods to his influences of heartland rock & roll, electrified Americana, blue-eyed soul, R&B, Beatles-inspired pop – while still moving forward, pushing Posen into territory that’s uniquely his own.
5/4/24: “Rewind At The Park”
The Park Theater Foundation will present “Rewind At The Park” featuring Harvest & Rust – A Neil Young Experience. From the chart-topping Harvest material and the electric explorations of Rust Never Sleeps, to songs from Neil’s time in Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Buffalo Springfield, fans are in for a night of “complete Neil.”
5/16/24: “Third Thursday Jazz”
The Park Theater Foundation will present “Third Thursday Jazz” with The Matt Niedbalski Trio on May 16. The performance night will also feature Albany-based Jazz trio GNP Trio, which is made up of Matt Niedbalski, Dylan Perrillo and Tyler Giroux. Fans will be able to experience some of the best Jazz music the Capital Region has to offer.
5/23/24: “Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase”
On May 5, the Park Theater Foundation will present an intimate evening that will feature some of the Capital Region’s favorite songwriters. Hosted by producer and musician, Jimi Woodul, these “artist-in-the-round” performances will give audiences the opportunity to hear local musicians’ songs and the stories behind them. Performing artists will include Dustin Lowman, Belle Skinner and Marty Wendell.
5/29/24: “Damn The Torpedoes.”
The Park Theater Foundation will host Rochmon Record Club for a series of listening parties. Hosted by Chuck Vosganian, this listening party will focus on Tom Petty’s 1979 album Damn The Torpedoes.
5/30/24: “Live & Local”
The Park Theater Foundation will present “Live & Local” on May 30. The event will feature the genre-bending group, Little Saints, an original band born in Saratoga Springs. Little Saints craft a style they call their own somewhere between americana, indie-folk, and modern soul.
5/31/24: “Comedy After Dark”
The Park Theater Foundation will close the month with a “Comedy After Dark” that will feature the highly-acclaimed comedians, Matt Vita and Joe Pontillo. Matt Vita is known to keep his audiences on their feet with his high energy performance by interweaving improvised songs, freestyle raps, and off kilter impersonations. He is also the co-founder of both the Vermont Comedy Festival and the Vermont Film Festival. Joe Pontillo has appeared on AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live,” MTV, Sirius XM, and NY1, but he is best known for his comedy special, “Delete Your Account,” on Amazon. Fans will be able to enjoy an evening of laughter and fun with family and friends.
For the full performance listing or to purchase tickets, fans can visit www.parktheatergf.com.
The Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is not known for its concerts. The arena typically hosts the American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Islanders and is overshadowed by the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater which sits steps away from the entrance. During the summer months, the Amphitheater gets all the big names like Neil Young, Queens of the Stone Age, Santana and Ghost. But, once or twice a year the Total Mortgage Arena gets one or two “big hitters” in the music sphere to balance it out.
This year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey closed out their “Freedom” tour in Bridgeport ahead of their run of stadium shows with Def Leppard beginning in the summer. Journey’s tour is in support of their new record, Freedom, which was released back in 2022. Fans packed the arena ahead of the 7:30 p.m. start time and the anticipation was high. The last time the band was in the area was last March in the state capital of Hartford at the XL Center.
Photo Credit: Mike Savoia
The Los Angeles native band Toto was again brought out on the road with Journey as their support act. On the first leg of the “Freedom” tour, Toto was also opening for Journey so fans who missed the show last year finally got to see it in a slightly smaller, more intimate venue. As fans were still filing into the arena and finding their seats, the band plugged in their instruments and started with their first song of the night, “Girl Goodbye,” off of their debut self-titled record. Toto played a total of nine songs that had the entire audience dancing and singing along.
Toto has seven band members and brings so much power and energy to the band’s live performances. The band features Warren Ham on percussion and saxophone, Steve Maggiora on the keyboards and Shannon Forrest – who has recorded with the likes of Taylor Swift, and Willie Nelson – on the drums. Joining those three is John Pierce from Huey Lewis and the News on bass, and Greg Phillinganes on keyboard. For those who don’t know Phillinganes, his extensive career consists of touring with the likes of Stevie Wonder and was the musical director for Michael Jackson. The final two and arguably biggest stars of the band is Steve Lukather on guitar who was heavily involved in Jackson’s Thriller album and played on Oliva Newton-John’s Physicalalbum. Lastly on vocals is Joseph Williams who was the adult singing voice for Simba in Disney’s The Lion King.
Photo Credit: Mike Savoia
Toto was an excellent opener for Journey, even if Lukather once screamed “Pittsburg!” instead of Bridgeport. They did a great job readying the crowd for the heavy hitters in the rock and roll sphere. Once the clock struck 9 p.m. the house lights dimmed and lead guitarist Neal Schon appeared on stage with guitar in hand. Immediately after, the rest of the band jumped on stage and jumped into “Only the Young.” The one noticeable thing between Journey and Toto was the excellent vocals and how strong they sounded as a band. It’s not very often that bands from the 80s still sound like they did when they debut but both of these bands still do.
Joining Schon in Journey is Jonathan Cain on piano and guitar, Deen Castronovo on drums, Jason Derlatka on keyboards, Todd Jensen on the bass with Arnel Pineda on lead vocals. Pineda has been in the band for 17 years now after Schon saw him singing on YouTube and asked him to audition.
Photo Credit: Mike Savoia
From the very beginning of the show, it was clear just how energetic the band was. Pineda from the jump was running, dancing and jumping all around the stage. Multiple times throughout the show, he would go up to the front of the crowd and interact with fans in the first few rows. He even hopped off the stage during one song and ran through the crowd high fiving the audience.
Journey delivered all of their greatest hits at this show. Early on they played the smash hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” off of 1981’s Escape. Their powerful set included other hits like “Stone in Love,” “Faithfully,” and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” At the start of each song, it brought a thunderous cheer from the jam-packed arena.
Photo Credit: Mike Savoia
The band was able to feed off the lively energy from the crowd. From the moment the doors opened, a recognizable buzz ran through the building. During “Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” two fans tossed a banner that said “The Journey Junkies” to Pineda to signify their love for the classic rock group. During “Open Arms,” strangers and friends embraced each other while other fans in the first few rows took out their lighters and lit them just like in the band’s golden years.
After Cain thanked the service men and women for protecting the country and the band returned to the stage, he was wearing a Bridgeport Islanders hockey jersey that got a cheer from the audience. The band – now in the home stretch of the show – started “Wheel in the Sky.” Pineda again took to the crowd and jumped in front of the guard rail separating the first row from the stage to embrace more fans.
Photo Credit: Mike Savoia
While confetti and streamers were shot from the stage at the end of the last song, “Any Way You Want It,” fans were all cheering and applauding for the band as they will not be returning to the state on their next tour. Journey put on an amazing show and did not miss one fan-favorite tune. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see them yet, you must as they make one stop at Citi Field in Queens, New York. Journey is a band that continues to put on amazing shows and it’s clear why they pack stadiums across the globe. Their energy is unmatched and the fans’ appreciation in response to their hard work and dedication.
Toto setlist: Girl Goodbye, Hold the Line, 99, Dying on My Feet, I’ll Be Over You, Home of the Brave, With a Little Help From My Friends, Rosanna, Africa
Journey setlist: Only the Young, Stone in Love, Keep on Runnin’, Don’t Stop Believin’, Lights, Send Her My Love, Who’s Crying Now, Just the Same Way, Escape, Let it Rain, Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’, Open Arms, Faithfully, Girl Can’t Help It, Wheel in the Sky, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Be Good to Yourself, Any Way You Want It
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is excited to inaugurate its 26th season with a special Mother’s Day program featuring the acclaimed Ariel Quartet – taking place on Sunday, May 12th at 4 pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown.
Ariel Quartet (PC Marco Borggreve).
Renowned for their passionate performances and remarkable artistry, the Ariel Quartet will surely captivate the Cooperstown audience with a program featuring Ravel’s evocative String Quartet and Schumann’s masterful String Quartet No. 3. Attendees will also indulge in classic French madeleine cookies, adding sweetness to the occasion.
Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area for decades. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter and Jasper, String Quartets, and more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers’ Museum, and Christ Church, the church of author James Fenimore Cooper.
We’re delighted to present the Ariel Quartet for this special event. Schumann’s quartet with its ‘Clara motif’ expressing his deep love for his wife, is a fitting choice for Mother’s Day. Clara Schumann was a remarkable woman and modern-day inspiration who balanced a thriving career as a touring concert pianist and celebrated composer with managing a household and their eight children. Clara’s motif is a testament to her enduring influence on her husband’s life and music.
Linda Chesis, Artistic Director of CSMF.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the festival and celebrate Mother’s Day with music,” said the members of the Ariel Quartet. “We look forward to sharing our love of chamber music and honoring the mothers who have enriched our lives.”
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased in advance either online or over the phone by calling Purplepass Tickets at 800-316-8559 and selecting Option 1. Please note there is a $2 service fee per phone order. Tickets will also be sold at the door, as available.
The Geneva Music Festival is gearing up for a stunning new concert season from May 18 to June 9, with artists old and new, a special “musical mixology” evening, and free community outreach events.
The Festival theme for this year is “Light/Dark”, an exploration in contrasts. While some concerts will use the theme literally, featuring pieces inspired by times of day; others will play with it figuratively, using contrasting pairs such as love and hate, or peace and war.
The Geneva Music Festival was founded in 2011 by Geneva, New York violinist Geoffrey Herd as a weekend of chamber music in his hometown. The festival has grown over fourteen years to a nearly month-long event that draws thousands of attendees from across the Finger Lakes region. Each year, the Festival continues its mission of inspiring people with world-class chamber music and engaging diverse audiences in its outreach programs.
Artists-in-residence will be joined by several talented musicians participating in the Festival for the first time. Fusion ensemble Biriba Union will kick off the season at local winery Ravines on May 19 with a tantalizing synthesis of Brazilian beats, bluegrass, jazz, classical, hip-hop, funk, and pop. Also new to the Geneva Music Festival are the storied Brentano String Quartet, performing May 30 at the Gearan Center; and the Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz Ensemble, who will wow listeners with enchanting jazz vocals at the Cracker Factory on June 2.
Not to be missed this season is the first-ever “Musical Mixology” night at the Linden Social Club. An immersive experience, the evening will pair each of four pieces of live music with a bespoke drink and a small plate.
In addition to ticketed events, the Geneva Music Festival also engages in a wide array of community outreach events, visiting local schools, and the Boys and Girls Club, and offering free concerts for the community at the Geneva Public Library (May 29, 5:30 pm) and the Geneva Welcome Center (June 4, 8:15 pm)
With artists new and old, inventive concert venues, and exceptional musicianship, this concert season’s cycles of light and dark in music renditions promise to be the best yet.
To learn more, and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Following the news of her highly anticipated third studio album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, set for release on May 17, Billie Eilish has announced arena dates, produced by Live Nation, for her HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR. Eilish will stop at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, October 16; Thursday, October 17; and Friday, October 18, 2024.
Billie Eilish’s forthcoming album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT was written by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, her brother and long-time collaborator, who also produced the album. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT will be available on all digital platforms, and in a continued effort to minimize waste and combat climate change; across all physical formats in limited variants on the same day, with the same track-listing and using 100% recyclable materials.
Eilish will continue her long-standing partnership with environmental nonprofit REVERBon this tour, building on the success of previous efforts, which resulted in over $1 million donated to greenhouse gas reduction and climate justice projects, more than 150,000 fan actions, and much more. Sustainability efforts on this tour will include reducing greenhouse gas pollution, decreasing single-use plastic waste, supporting climate action, and updating concession offerings to promote and encourage plant-based food options with Support+Feed.
Photo by William Drumm.
Fans are encouraged to join the effort to make the BILLIE EILISH HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR more sustainable. Where possible, take public transportation and carpool to and from the shows to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and encourage more public transportation options. Thrift outfits to avoid fast fashion, and bring an empty reusable water bottle or donate for a custom RockNRefill Nalgene bottle to fill up at the free water refill stations located at each venue.
Tickets for BILLIE EILISH: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR will be available starting with the American Express® Presale beginning on Tuesday, April 30, with additional presales running throughout the week. Any remaining tickets will be available during the general on-sale starting Friday, May 3. On-sale start times vary by market, check local listings for more information.
BILLIE EILISHHIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR– NORTH AMERICA*
Sun Sep 29 – Québec, QC – Centre Videotron
Tue Oct 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Wed Oct 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Fri Oct 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Sat Oct 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Mon Oct 07 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Wed Oct 09 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Fri Oct 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Sun Oct 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Wed Oct 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Thu Oct 17 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Oct 18 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sat Nov 02 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Sun Nov 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Nov 06 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Fri Nov 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
Sun Nov 10 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Mon Nov 11 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Wed Nov 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Thu Nov 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sat Nov 16 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Sun Nov 17 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
Tue Nov 19 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Nov 20 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Tue Dec 03 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Thu Dec 05 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Fri Dec 06 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sun Dec 08 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Tue Dec 10 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
Wed Dec 11 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
Fri Dec 13 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Sun Dec 15 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Mon Dec 16 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Tue Dec 17 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR– AUSTRALIA
Tue Feb 18, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Wed Feb 19, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri Feb 21, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sat Feb 22, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Mon Feb 24, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
Tue Feb 25, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
Thu Feb 27, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
Fri Feb 28, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
Tue Mar 4, 2025 –Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
Wed Mar 5, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
Fri Mar 7, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
Sat Mar 8, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR– EUROPE/U.K./IRELAND
Wed Apr 23, 2025 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
Thu Apr 24, 2025 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
Sat Apr 26, 2025 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena
Mon Apr 28, 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
Tue Apr 29, 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
Fri May 2, 2025 – Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena
Sun May 4, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
Mon May 5, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
Wed May 7, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
Fri May 9, 2025 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena
Thu May 29, 2025 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
Fri May 30, 2025 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
Sun June 1, 2025 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
Tue June 3, 2025 – Kraków, Poland – Tauron Arena
Wed June 4, 2025 – Kraków, Poland – Tauron Arena
Fri June 6, 2025 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle
Sun June 8, 2025 – Bologna, Italy – Unipol Arena
Tue June 10, 2025 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
Wed June 11, 2025 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
Sat June 14, 2025 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi
Sun June 15, 2025 –Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi
Sonya Cohen Cramer (1965-2015), the singular vocalist, graphic designer, and art director is being honored with an unreleased track and video ahead of the first-ever collection dedicated fully to her music, You’ve Been a Friend to Me, released on May 17 via Smithsonian Folkways. This 30+ years body of work reveals the full arc of her musical life as a member of one the most important families in folk music history.
Sonya Cohen Cramer, photo by Patti Perret.
Sonya Cohen Cramer was raised in a family committed to revitalizing the oldest songs of the American musical canon. Like her father John Cohen of The New Lost City Ramblers and her mother Penny Seeger, she believed in the transformative qualities of folk songs and traditional ballads. You’ve Been a Friend to Me is the first collection featuring her singing, and it reveals the full arc of her musical life through collaborations with her aunt Peggy Seeger, uncle Pete Seeger, Elizabeth Mitchell, Daniel Littleton, and the folk-fusion group Last Forever. She was the granddaughter of musicologist Charles Seeger and the avant-garde composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, and her godfather was Folkways founder Moe Asch. While shaped by the roots of her family tree, the radiating and clear sound of Cramer’s voice is distinctly her own.
Known mainly for her graphic design work for Folkways, her musicianship during her time in the New York Times-acclaimed folk band Last Forever (featuring composer and producer Dick Connette) was admired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Loudon Wainwright III, Meredith Monk, and Joe Boyd. The upcoming project reveals her life as both a familial and mission symbol of the Folkways ethos, committed to revitalizing the oldest songs of Folkways Records and the American musical canon.
Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl recorded a version by Christina MacAllister of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1962. The music video, created by illustrator, graphic designer, and printmaker Dio Cramer, uses the traditional storytelling form called the “crankie” or moving panorama: a backlit scroll that’s cranked across two dowels to unfold its narrative.
For more information about Sonya cohen Cramer visit here. Watch the “crankie” music video made by Dio Cramer below.
Brooklyn-based artist Left Circles has released his debut LP titled, Nothing is One Thing on April 26. The LP contains 13 tracks, all with diverse sound from the skills of Brian Pluta and his accomplices.
Nothing is One Thing, is not content to stay confined to one style. The hook-heavy album shifts through several modes of rock, from ‘90s lo-fi to British-pop to ‘50s folk. Left Circles is the solo project of Brooklyn-based musician Brian Pluta who is the live guitarist for Space Cadet.
Nothing is One Thing starts out very interestingly. To me, the opening track “Over Her Range/She Told Me” has a very Foo Fighters or Pearl Jam feel. It has grungy riffs, alternative vocals, and that rugged, somber heaviness. It also sees multiple parts with soft, acoustic, touching tones.
The next tune, “The Gashouse Gang is Here” is full of a youthful, anthem-like energy. It certainly gives me Misfits energy with its pop-alternative, quick-paced sound. Throughout many of songs on the LP, there is apparent 90s grunge inspiration as well as indie, soft-rock, and classic rock. Left Circles does not stick to a specific genre and shows the dynamic musicianship him and his band possesses.
The album has great energy, range, and power. It boasts strong, catchy riffs, a dynamic voice, and intriguing themes and sound overall. Nothing is One Thing was mixed by Travis Harrison (Guided By Voices, Built to Spill) and features drums from Kellii Scott (Failure), as well as guest vocals from Matt Hock (Space Cadet, The Explosion).
Left Circles also recently released a new animated music video for their latest single “The Gashouse Gang Is Here.” The track is the second on the LP. The music video is animated by 30s cartoonist Ub Iwerks and fits perfectly over the track in every way from theme to the syncing of sound and motion.
“I was running out of time, with no idea what video #2 would be. By the dumbest of luck, I stumbled upon this 1937 cartoon directed by Ub Iwerks, who also did ‘Steamboat Willie’ and all those early Mickey Mouse cartoons. Those folks were masters of animation/music synchronicity having been the ones who invented it. So it’s no wonder I was able to edit it to work with my straightforward 4/4 song. But the sync with Kellii’s drum fills, with what the lyrics are saying…that’s 100% chance. It’s like they were meant to go together. Art director Jon Cochran brought the illusion home with those amazing title cards.”
Brian Pluta
For more information on Left Circles and his debut LP Nothing is One Thing, click here. Stay up to date on upcoming releases and shows.
