The Westcott Theater in Syracuse became a pulsating hub of musical energy as Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, a genre-blurring jam band with country influences, graced the stage in a nearly sold-out performance that left attendees exhilarated and yearning for more.
Recently anointed “Nashville’s new guitar hero,” by Rolling Stone, Donato led the audience through a jammy night of fun showing off sonic influences from the Grateful Dead and Phish to Waylon Jennings.
The atmosphere within the Westcott Theater was charged with anticipation even before the first note resonated through the venue. As the lights dimmed, one of the most packed houses the Westcott has seen erupted into cheers, a testament to the fervent following that Daniel Donato and his Cosmic Country collective have cultivated. The energy was palpable as the band took the stage, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of country-infused improvisation and musical exploration.
The band’s lineup features Daniel Donato on lead guitar and vocals, alongside a talented ensemble of musicians including Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, Will “Mustang” McGee on bass, and Noah Winner on drums. And they immediately captivated the crowd. It was hard to move around inside the theater the venue was so packed, and when the music started all those people went wild.
The band’s chemistry was palpable, with each member contributing to the sonic tapestry in their own unique way. The rhythm section provided a solid foundation, propelling the music forward with a cosmic heartbeat, the bass was hard-charging and in your face while the keyboardist added layers of textures, creating an immersive sonic experience.
As the night reached its climax, the audience was left in a state of euphoria. Cosmic Country had taken them on a journey, blurring the lines between the earthly and the celestial. The Westcott Theater became a haven where traditional notions of genre were shattered, and the universal nature of music prevailed.
The night was a masterclass in musical exploration. Through his exceptional guitar skills, emotive vocals, and a band that seamlessly blended genres, Donato delivered a performance that was both otherworldly and grounded in the roots of country music. Cosmic Country is no doubt on the way up to the top and fans should make sure to catch them at more intimate venues like these while they still have the chance.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Westcott Theatre, Syracuse – Saturday, February 10, 2024
Set 1: Why Have You Been Gone So Long?, Cigar Time, Halfway (In Between), Hi-Country, Playing Your Game, Weathervane > Blue Skies > Weathervane, Locomotive No. 9 > Rose In a Garden, Banks of the Ohio, Broadside Ballad > Hangman’s Reel
Set 2: Passing Storm, Sugar Shack, Luck of the Draw > Sugar Leg Rag, Illusions, Down Along the Cove, Down Bedford, Down By The Riverside, Dance in the Desert
DJ/Producer Dirt Monkey made a stop in Buffalo for his MYCELIUM SOUND tour on Friday, February 9. This EDM artist completely steam-rolled through Town Ballroom making it a night to remember.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The openers this night were stacked with intricate sound design and deep bass grooves that made it impossible not to get hyped up. Artists Neon Black and Austeria are growing producers in the scene that are paving the way for up and coming dubstep. Last-minute fill in G-Space completely wooed the crowd with his layered mystic sound that blends trap and funk music.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Dirt Monkey took over the stage and immediately brought the vibes even higher. One element that this talented producer has mastered is expanding across multiple EDM sub genres to bring a new sound to fans. From dubstep, to drum and bass, to house and everything in between he is not afraid to go beyond conventional norms. It’s no surprise his devoted following considers him a producer’s producer.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
2023 was the year of releases for Dirty Monkey. He released not one, but two full length albums, MYCELIUM SOUND PT. 1 and MYCELIUM SOUND PT. 2. He performed an array of songs off both albums and even shared unreleased tracks that he’s been working on.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Old School X New School
Dirt Monkey utilizes a reggae sound throughout his drops that gives his music a sense of funk that is addictive to listen to. His visuals match this vibe with intricate geometrical patterns and electric colors.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Despite this being a tour for his new sound, Dirt Monkey still found a way to play his old hits. Some of which include “Gabagool,” “Lift Off,” and “Jack It Up.” He also mixed in other artists tunes while giving them that Dirt Monkey twist. It is a testament to his artistry that he can make even a house music hater question their taste because Dirt Monkey knows how to add that extra flavor to songs.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
There was something different in the air at Town Ballroom that night and Dirt Monkey even shared how he could tell the people in Buffalo really listened to his music. The crowds energy that night made Buffalo a must stop for him and it’s why so many popular EDM artists keep coming back. The western NY EDM scene has reignited shows in a whole new way.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
If you want to be a part of the growing EDM phenomena in Buffalo check out the upcoming shows from SABAI February 23 and Subtronics February 29. Get your tickets here.
Chromeo—the GRAMMY-nominated duo of Montreal natives David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel–have announced they will embark on a North American co-headline tour with The Midnight this fall, stopping at Terminal 5 on Oct. 4.
Credit: Bobby Doherty
After almost two decades of shiny synths and sharp lyrics, Chromeo has set themselves apart as dedicated scholars of the groove, proving time and again that no one does it quite like them. Across their five critically acclaimed LPs, Dave 1 and P-Thugg established an irresistible electrofunk sound. Together, the inseparable friends have toured the world over, perfecting a musical and visual language that is now instantly recognizable and more refined.
Chromeo’s long-awaited, sixth studio album, Adult Contemporary, is out this Friday, February 16. Across the record’s 14 tracks, the duo explores what it means to be funky in your 30s and 40s, offering the most sophisticated version of the infectious grooves and cheeky wordplay they’ve become known for. Already receiving critical acclaim, FLAUNT praises: “P-Thugg and Dave 1 have one of those unique creative partnerships that bears the most wonderful kind of fruit: that evergreen, ever-juicy groove.”
Chromeo debuted the new music in live performances last year, first at Coachella and then on their FUNK YOURSELF Tour, their first headline run in five years. Synthwave duo The Midnight will join Chromeo on the North American fall run. The band—helmed by Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan—lives at the intersection of varying sounds, driven by the frictional spark that fires when the two melt together.
They will be joined this fall by special guests Ruth Radelet and Girl Ultra. Ruth Radelet is best known as the lead singer in the seminal electronic band Chromatics. Her solo material expands her sonic palette with hypnotic vocals and dreamy atmospheres. Girl Ultra is a Mexican singer, songwriter, and creative director.
Presale for all North American dates (US, Canada, Mexico) begins Wednesday, February 14 at 10 a.m. local time, with general on sale Thursday, February 15.
CHROMEO INTERNATIONAL DATES
May 28—Copenhagen, DK—Vega
May 29—Oslo, NO—Vulkan Arena
May 30—Stockholm, SE—Debaser Strand
June 1—Brussels, BE—La Madeline
June 2—Amsterdam, NL—Melkweg
June 4—Cologne, DE—Kantine
June 5—Berlin, DE—Metropol
June 7—Paris, FR—Le Trianon
June 9—Leeds, UK—Project House
June 10—Glasgow, UK—SWG3 TV Studio
June 11—Manchester, UK—New Century
June 13—Bristol, UK—SWX
June 14—London, UK—O2 Forum Kentish Town
June 21—Mexico City—MX Pepsi Center WTC
CHROME NIGHTS TOUR
September 5—Vancouver, BC—Malkin Bowl *
September 6—Seattle, WA—Remlinger Farms *
September 7—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater *
September 11—San Francisco, CA—The Warfield *
September 13—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theater *
September 14—San Diego, CA—Gallagher Square *
September 16—Phoenix, AZ—The Van Buren *
September 17—El Paso, TX—Lowbrow Palace *
September 19—San Antonio, TX—Boeing Center at Tech Port *
September 20—Austin, TX—ACL Live at the Moody Theater *
September 21—Dallas, TX—The Factory Deep Ellum *
September 22—Houston, TX—The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall *
September 24—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live *
September 25—Orlando, FL—The Vanguard *
September 27—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern †
September 28—Asheville, NC—Rabbit Rabbit †
September 29—Raleigh, NC—The Ritz †
October 1—Philadelphia, PA—Franklin Music Hall †
October 2—Boston, MA—Roadrunner †
October 3—Washington, DC—The Anthem †
October 4—New York, NY—Terminal 5 †
October 7—Montreal, QC—MTELUS †
October 9—Toronto, ON—HISTORY †
October 10—Newport, KY—MegaCorp Pavilion †
October 11—Detroit, MI—Royal Oak Music Hall †
October 12—Chicago, IL—Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom †
New York City is famously known as the place where dreams are made. Countless musicians from Jay-Z to Billy Joel have risen from the concrete jungle and in turn paid homage to the city in their respective music. Their songs like “New York State of Mind” and “Empire State of Mind” solidify the iconography, nostalgia and incomparable energy of NYC.
But not all musicians have the same experience. Jim Croce and his song “New York’s Not My Home” is the antithesis of the other New York classics. A soft, folky, acoustic ballad, Croce expresses disillusionment with the famed city and the need to get out.
“New York’s Not My Home” was released in 1972, the third track on Croce’s third studio album You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. This was his first album recorded with ABC Records and featured many of the tunes that skyrocketed him into the public eye, including “Time in a Bottle.”
“You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” album art
Croce grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent many of his formative years there, and went on to attend college at Villanova University in 1961. Croce would eventually travel far and wide but he continually was drawn back to the state of Pennsylvania his entire life. As such, he never had much attachment to New York City. In fact, he only lived there for a short period of time, in 1968. Croce moved there with his wife and fellow musician Ingrid Croce, when he was 30-years-old. With a record deal in hand, they hoped the city would lead to their big break. However, after becoming disenchanted with both the city and the music industry, the couple moved to the countryside back in Pennsylvania.
According to Ingrid, the idea for this song came as they were leaving New York and driving to their new home. As the tale goes, the couple spent the night sleeping in their car in a parking lot in New Jersey. The sight of the New York City skyline from where they were parked gave Jim the idea for the song.
In the first verse, Croce paints the scene and begins with the inkling that something here just isn’t working.
Things were spinnin’ ’round me
And all my thoughts were cloudy
And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me
Been in so many places, you know I’ve run so many races
I looked into the empty faces of the people of the night
Somethin’ is just not right
As the lyrics suggest Croce worked many jobs and traveled many places in his lifetime. Croce worked on construction crews and taught guitar at a summer camp. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard for a brief stint. He worked as a teacher at a junior high school and he also did a foreign exchange program in Africa and the Middle East. In most cases, Pennsylvania always pulled Croce back. In this respect, New York was never really his home and never a place he felt deeply connected with.
The chorus repeats Croce’s need to leave New York City and find a new place.
‘Cause I know that I’ve gotta get outta here
I’m so alone
Don’t you know that I gotta get outta here
‘Cause New York’s not my home
The second verse gets much more literal with Croce as he delves into his reasons for wanting to leave New York. While New York is a place where dreams are conventionally made, Croce never experienced commercial success there and instead became fed up with the rat race of the industry. Croce had secured a deal with Capitol Records but the contract heavily favored the record company and there were delays with the recording process. The couple could barely afford to live in NYC as a result, so they headed for the countryside in Pennsylvania, going as far as to sell their guitars before making the move.
Though all the streets are crowded
There’s somethin’ strange about it
I lived there ’bout a year and I never once felt at home
I thought I’d make the big time
I learned a lot of lessons awfully quick
And now I’m tellin’ you that they were not the nice kind
It has been so long since I have felt fine
But even in Pennsylvania, Croce continued to write and it was here that he penned perhaps his most famous tune “Time in a Bottle.” That song, as well as “New York’s Not My Home,” were both featured on You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. The album saw immediate success with a string of hit songs and throughout 1972-1973 Croce furiously toured the country. While commercial success didn’t come in New York, Croce did things his way and it paid off.
Towards the end of “New York’s Not My Home”, Croce fittingly ruminates on New York being someone else’s fantasy. New York may be where some dreams are made, but as Croce proves, it’s certainly not where all of them are.
“The dream’s not mine anyway…So I’m going back to find…Some peace of mind in San Francisco.”
The Listen Up Awards will be returning for its third installment on March 24, 2024. Hosted by Putnam Place, doors open at 2 p.m. for this unique Capital District awards event.
The Listen Up Awards have been successful for the past two years. Chosen by the people, the nominees are an accumulation of local favorites, with nearly 39,000 votes cast last year. Created by Mirth Films and Radio Radio X, the award show is different from others in that they don’t take themselves too seriously but they do seriously support the local music scene. Like a Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Award, they promote fun.
The performers are all winners from the previous year but they do not allow musicians/bands/artists to be nominated two consecutive years in a row in the same category. This will give more chances to those who can be entered into nomination for future ceremonies. Performers this year include Sly Fox and The Hustlers, North Allen Duo, The E-Block, and Black Cat Elliot.
Every year the Listen Up Awards take the time to honor notable people from the local music scene who have made a real difference in the community. Last year they presented “Hero Awards” to Howard Glassman, Mother Judge, Scott Dorrance, and Josh Bloomfield. The 2024 Hero Award Recipient Class will be: Rudy Lu (Music Photographer), Jason Keller (WEQX DJ), Bill Milhizer (The Fleshtones Drummer), Ralph Spillenger (Bayou Cafe, Bijou, Jillian’s), Johnny Rabb (Rockabilly MusicianI, The Erotics (Hard Rock Band), and Charlene “Char” Shortsleeve (QE2, 288 Lark and Duck Soup).
The 2024 ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+ and will be available on Hulu the next day. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
Ten out of 15 of the Nominees are on the ballot for the first time. This includes Mariah Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.
New York is greatly represented this year, with six of the 15 nominees hailing from the Empire State. Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Foreigner, Lenny Kravitz, Eric B. & Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest all native to New York.
Inductees will be announced in late April. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland this fall with date and on-sale information to be announced.
90s hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest have been nominated a few times for the RRHOF. This year, the jazzy, vintage-sound, of A Tribe Called Quest’s true and influential music will be heard and considered by the panel once more.
Along with Tribe, fellow New York hip-hop artists Eric B. & Rakim will be considered for induction. Eric B. and Rakim are widely regarded as one of, if not the most influential rap duos to ever grace the genre. Rakim has become an icon for being the father of 90s rap and its many sounds.
“This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”
John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
70s and 80s rock band Foreigner is on the ballot, and their induction is one that many rock fans have waited for. Fellow rocker Lenny Kravitz looks to secure a place in the Hall of Fame, boasting a large and diverse catalogue. Lenny Kravitz is not just rock, he is soul, and he is inspiration.
This year’s nominations are packed with extraordinary talent, and their impacts are all unique and important. This multi-genre line up is certainly going to be neck and neck with votes for induction.
For more information on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, its nominees, and tickets, visit RockHall.com.
moe. has announced a 12-date “Best.Summer.Ever” Tour at stages across the country, and joined by Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, a tour that guarantees a blend of classic jams, improvisational brilliance, and a vibrant celebration of live music.
Tour stops include shows at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in NYC, a two-night run at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette and a show at Outer Harbor in Buffalo. All but Buffalo feature two sets of moe. and one set of Daniel Donato.
The “Best.Summer.Ever” Tour will kick off with a bang on the Fourth of July at the Stone Pony Summerstage in Asbury Park, NJ. This show, as well as performances on July 5th in Westport, CT, and July 6th in Jay, VT, will also feature Neighbor.
Continuing their commitment to mental health awareness and support within the music community, moe. is proud to announce that $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to Backline and Sweet Relief’s Music’s Mental Health Fund. This vital program offers grants to subsidize mental health and wellness services for touring musicians, crew members, and their families, underscoring the band’s dedication to the well-being of their extended musical family.
Since the addition of Nate Wilson on keys and return of Chuck Garvey on guitar, the band has been reintroducing rarities and classic rock covers back into setlists. Recent shows have featured the first-time performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California,” while in San Francisco, the return of the original “Paper Dragon,” Pink Floyd cover “Interstellar Overdrive,” “CalifornIA,” and “Take the Skinheads Bowling.”
moe. is currently gearing up for their “Ski Tour” in March, kicking off with a notable four-night run at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre, followed by stops at favorite Colorado haunts, particularly meaningful as it marks moe.’s first return to many of these venues since the early 2020 “ski tour” was abruptly halted due to the pandemic’s onset.
Daniel Donato’s own musical frequency was tuned at a young age while growing up in Nashville. After a high school history teacher gave him a pile of Grateful Dead bootleg recordings when he was 18, the stage was set for what would eventually become Donato’s vision, Cosmic Country. Since then, the guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter and bandleader has released two acclaimed albums, the latest being 2023’s celebrated Reflector and has been tearing it up on the road playing over 200 shows per year. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country has played to sold-out crowds from coast to coast and garnered a passionate and rapidly expanding fanbase.
A special artist pre-sale begins on Wednesday, February 14th @ 10am local [PW: BSE24], and the general public on-sale begins this Friday, February 16th @ 10am local time. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit moe.org.
moe. US Tour Dates Saturday, February 17th – The Cabot – Beverly, MA* Sunday, February 18th – The Cabot – Beverly, MA~ Friday, March 6th-Tuesday, March 10th – Egyptian Theatre – Park City, UT~ Thursday, March 12th – Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO Saturday, March 14th-Sunday, March 15th – Sheridan Opera House – Telluride, CO Monday, March 16th – Vilar PAC – Beaver Creek, CO Tuesday, March 17th – Strings Music Pavilion – Steamboat Springs, CO* Thursday, March 19th – Belly Up – Aspen, CO Saturday, March 21st-Sunday, March 22nd – 10 Mile Music Hall – Frisco, CO Monday, March 23rd-Tuesday, March 24th – Washington’s FOCO – Ft. Collins, CO~ Thursday, July 4 – Stone Pony Summerstage – Asbury Park, NJ Friday, July 5 – Levitt Pavilion – Westport, CT Saturday, July 6 – Stateside Amphitheater at Jay Peak – Jay, VT Wednesday, July 10 – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks – Bethlehem, PA Thursday, July 11 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY Friday, July 12 – Wonderland Forest – Lafayette, NY Saturday, July 13 – Wonderland Forest – Lafayette, NY Tuesday, July 17 – Outer Harbor – Buffalo, NY Wednesday, July 18 – Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre – Cleveland, OH Thursday, July 19 – Rose Music Center – Huber Heights, OH Friday, July 20 – Rock the Ruins – Indianapolis, IN Saturday, July 21 – Bell’s Beer Garden – Kalamazoo, MI
Pearl Jam has announced the release of the 12th studio album Dark Matter, coming on April 19, 2024, and the launch of a 35-date worldwide tour this May. The band will go to Madison Square Garden on September 3 and September 4, 2024.
Dark Matter Album Artwork: light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov
Pearl Jam is an alternative rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band’s lineup consists of bassist Jeff Ament, rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard, lead guitarist Mike McCready, lead singer/guitarist Eddie Vedder, and drummer Matt Cameron. With thirty-plus years of live performances, twelve studio albums, and hundreds of official live concert bootleg releases later, Pearl Jam continues to be critically acclaimed and commercially successful. The band has sold over 85 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Since the earliest days, they have used their platform to elevate people and causes that often go unnoticed. Much of the band’s philanthropic work is accomplished through its Vitalogy Foundation which to date has raised more than $50 million for organizations supporting issues such as abortion access, climate change, homelessness, and drawing attention to the fight against diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis and epidermolysis bullosa (EB). In addition to the money Vitalogy donates, the band also donates signed instruments, posters, and merchandise to organizations to use for their fundraising purposes.
In 2023, the band went to La Studios in Malibu where they simply plugged in and played with producer Andrew Watt. The musicians faced one another in the same space and communicated sonically at the highest level, producing Dark Matter in just three weeks. As a result, the album channels the shared spirit of a group of lifelong creative confidants and brothers in one room playing as if their very lives depended on it.
I’m getting chills, because I have good memories. We’re still looking for ways to communicate. We’re at this time in our lives when you could do it or you could not do it, but we still care about putting something out there that is meaningful and we hopefully think is our best work. No hyperbole, I think this is our best work.
Eddie Vedder.
The band is celebrating indie record stores with the release of a special edition of Dark Matter on April 20; only at participating stores as part of Record Store Day. Get more information and find stores here.
Special guests Deep Sea Diver (North America Leg 1), Glen Hansard (North America Leg 2), The Murder Capital (UK/EU), Richard Ashcroft (Dublin and London), and Pixies (Australia and New Zealand) will serve as support for these dates.
Tickets will be available two ways: a Ten Club members-only presale will be held through Ticketmaster Request for eligible members. Only paid Ten Club members active as of Monday, February 12 are eligible to participate in this presale. More info here. Fans can register for a chance to participate in the Dark Matter World Tour 2024 registration sale by Sunday, February 18 at 11:59 PM local time for Europe, UK, Australia, and New Zealand shows and by Sunday, February 18 at 11:59 pm PT for North America shows. This will be the only way for fans to participate in the on-sale. Registration does not guarantee access to the sale.
The tour will use all-in pricing across all North America, Europe, and UK shows to ensure the ticket price listed is the full out-of-pocket price inclusive of fees.
Little Georgie and The Shuffling Hungarians have quite the reputation after winning multiple SAMMY Awards for their exceptional Rock and Soul Orchestra performances. Seeing that the music industry was always evolving, Little Georgie made the decision to invest in “The Womb Room of Hungaria,” a content production studio. Now, he has the freedom to navigate the twists and turns of the music scene with a whole new level of creativity.
George Rossi, also known as “Little Georgie,” saw some major changes brewing in the music scene. As the 17-piece orchestra struggled to survive economic ups and downs, it became clear that the game was changing. The once-thriving market for physical compact discs was gone and live performances were becoming less financially viable. With the music industry constantly changing, Little Georgie had to either adapt or leave.
This incredible global digital premiere will launch a groundbreaking sound experience that will finish with “The Compendium of Unruly Caterwauling.” It’s more than a sound journey; it’s the kind of ride that keeps you humming long after it ends. A 2024 full of musical magic is coming.
With support from Queen Bee Brand WMG, the comeback is available on Spotify, Amazon, Tidal, YouTube, and iTunes and offers a new take on their well-known sound. With this song, they make a daring comeback to the music industry and further cement their lasting impact. The return of the funk is greater than before.
Fresh off the band’s highest-profile performance to date at the inaugural Dead Ahead festival, the Connecticut-born acoustic three-piece Orebolo settled into the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester for three laid-back nights of loose acoustic jamming on February 8, 9 and 10.
photo by Joe Madonna
If you unwittingly attended an Orebolo show on a whim, learning this was the band’s 17th performance could catch you off guard.
From recent sit-ins from Bob Weir and Sturgill Simpson and a line of eager fans who arrived hours early for a coveted rail spot or to purchase the radiant hand-carved AJ Masthay linocut poster, it wouldn’t be misplaced to assume Orebolo is a nationally touring act in their own right. However, it is impossible not to mention Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar), and Jeff Arevalo (upright bass, backup vocal) membership in the rising star jam band Goose that has made this success possible.
With hairstyles that could be fresh from an “Almost Famous” casting call, Anspach, Arevalo, and Mitarotonda held audiences captivated across three days with six sets mixed of beloved originals and debuts for the group that was free from repeats across the weekend run.
The trio was unafraid of embracing their loyal flock of fans. During the first set of the run, Anspach called attention to the night’s guest-of-honor in the audience, the newly anointed Goose drummer Cotter Ellis. When Ellis was quickly met with deep-throated chants of “Goooose,” Anspach quickly reassured Ellis with the band’s usual quip that “they’re just saying Goose.”
While the crowd was certainly there as Goose fans, and more than a few behaved as if they were seeing an electric five-piece rock show not an acoustic trio, Orebolo’s performance left everyone present thrilled with six standout sets. From the songs on Thursday evening the unofficial theme for the weekend was clear – these shows would be packed with Goose originals and a number of expertly selected and reimagined covers.
After trading vocals for the opening two songs, the group debuted Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”, which featured a glistening vocal from Mitarotonda followed by an energetic “Turbulence & The Night Rays,” and the debut of two more covers that show the group’s own eclectic musical tastes, Isey Juber’s 2023 “No California” and Chick Corea’s instrumental “Spain”. The second set would see the tempo pick up through a number of Goose originals, as well as a heart-wrenching rendition of Tears for Fears “Mad World” and as a reward for the Capitol Theatre’s usual Deadhead denizens, a rendition of “New Speedway Boogie”.
photo by Scott Harris
With Mitarotonda and Anspach playing seated, Arevalo sipping from a glass of red wine, and the stage artfully set with an array of antique studio lighting, the atmosphere of the three shows evoked the theatrical origins of the intimate 1800-capacity venue that has become so known as a palace of rock and roll. That isn’t to say the audience behaved in such a way, with the band frequently chiding overly talkative attendees over the weekend.
Friday’s show kicked off with a tremendous performance opening with a dual vocal on “Mr. Action”, followed by another nod to the Capitol Theatre’s Grateful Dead adjacent roots with a jangling cover of the band’s version of the traditional “Jack-A-Roe.” After a driving first acoustic performance of Goose’s “Dr. Darkness,” the band turned the folk up further with an uptempo country-hoe-down inspired performance of “Flodown” and a mournful rendition of Dave Van Ronk’s traditional “Hang Me, Oh Hang Me”. The covers kept coming with a debut of Elvis Presley’s “Don’t be Cruel” that put any silver screen rendition of the King’s crooning to shame.
The first set would close with a joyous rendition of “Animal” that ran through intensity levels bringing the crowd from rapt silence to shout-along. The echo from the crowd would continue into second set opening “Hungersite.” The fast tempo version of “Echo of a Rose” would have a red-wine sipping Arevalo hitting a series of bass-notes that reverberated through the theater. A bust-out of Sharon Van Etten’s “Love More” simmered the crowd to their quietest all night, before returning to a rollicking sing-along with the Dead’s “Tennessee Jed.” The set closed with Goose originals “This Old Sea” and fan favorite “Empress Of Organos.” A howling encore of “Silver Rising” brought the crowd to a tumultuous roar, sending attendees home energized for the final night’s show.
Saturday would have another dual vocal to open with the group debuting the New Orleans standard “Liza Jane” to the crowd’s delight. After a joyous rendition of Goose’s “The Whales” Orebolo took a first attempt at “Atlas Dogs” that lead into a performance of “California Magic” which featured such strong harmonization from Mitarotonda and Anspach you could be forgiven for assuming this was a Crosby, Stills and Nash cover. The band has been enjoying this run of shows, it’s clear from the crowd banter and how intentional the playing is. Mitarotonda couldn’t help himself but to tease the iconic “Secret Agent Man” guitar riff closing “All I Need.”
Anspach would take the lead vocal for “Moonrise” before Mitarotonda tore through “I’m Writing A Novel,” a song that has become a staple of the group since they performed it with the author, Father John Misty, at Radio City Music Hall in 2022. The show would take a somber turn for Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” which gave the audience a much-needed tempo shift before bursting into a version of “Rockdale” that brought the whole room to their feet singing along to one of the group’s most well-known tracks.
The weekend’s final set would open with a rhythmic “Thatch” that highlighted how strong the group’s harmonization has gotten with time. For fans who struggle with misheard lyrics during intense Goose jamming, it is worth noting that Orebolo shows provide a much different experience (it is “Milo believe” not “my love for thee” ). The crowd hit pin-drop silence during a deeply emotional debut of Radiohead’s “True Love Waits,” which gave Arevalo a chance to show his versatility on the standup bass and skill with the bow. The band returned to the King and got the crowd dancing with a performance of 1957’s “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame” harkening back to Presley’s rockabilly roots.
To close out the show, in a fitting tribute to the venue, Orebolo bookended their originals with songs from the Grateful Dead. First taking a turn toward syncopated harmonies in “Dripfield,” before performing what a 50-year-Jerry-show-veteran called “one of the best” renditions of “Ship of Fools” they had heard. The set ended with a pounding Madhuvan that was a showcase of the three musicians’ practiced comfort in an acoustic setting. Mitarotonda, Anspach, and Arevalo would return to the stage to express gratitude to fans for supporting the milestone three-night sold-out set of shows and individually thank each member of the Orebolo crew. The encore performance of “U.S. Blues” brought a truly original take to the Grateful Dead tune packed with harmonization that couldn’t hold back a crowd sing-along.
While Orebolo has played fewer than two dozen shows publicly, it is clear that this trio has spent many more hours crafting a sound distinctly their own, no matter the material. Fans flocked to Orebolo shows for an intimate performance from a group of musicians whose star is on the rise, but they came back night after night because of the unique expression from this talented group of musicians. While Goose is taking flight, here’s hoping we will have more opportunities for these intimate acoustic moments.
Orebolo’s next show will be in May at Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie. Goose will be on tour this summer, and will be performing at Forest Hills Stadium on June 29.
Orebolo Setlists, February 8, 9, 10
Setlists graciously provided by the team at ElGoose.net.
February 8, 2024 Orebolo, The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, USA
Set 1: Lead the Way, Elizabeth, Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright[1], Turbulence & The Night Rays, Not Alone[2], No California[3], Spain[4], Dim Lights, So Ready Set 2: Turned Clouds, Arrow[5] > Where Is My Wild Rose[6], Hot Tea, Mad World[7], New Speedway Boogie[8], A Western Sun, Arcadia Encore: Arise Coach’s Notes: [1] Bob Dylan. FTP. [2] FTP as Orebolo. [3] Ilsey Juber. FTP. [4] Chick Corea. FTP as Orebolo. [5] Unfinished. [6] Chris Thompson. FTP. [7] Tears For Fears. [8] Grateful Dead.
February 9, 2024 Orebolo, The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, USA
Set 1: Mr. Action, Jack-A-Roe[1], Dr. Darkness[2], Flodown, Hang Me, Oh Hang Me[3], Creatures[4], Don’t Be Cruel[5], Louise[6], It Burns Within, Animal Set 2: Hungersite, Red Bird, Seekers On The Ridge Part I > Seekers On The Ridge Part II, Echo of a Rose[7], Love More[8], Tennessee Jed[9], This Old Sea, The Empress Of Organos Encore: Silver Rising Coach’s Notes: [1] Traditional. [2] FTP as Orebolo. [3] Dave Van Ronk. [4] Unfinished. [5] Elvis Presley. FTP as Orebolo. [6] Bonnie Raitt. [7] Fast version. [8] Sharon Van Etten. FTP. [9] Grateful Dead.
February 10, 2024 Orebolo, The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, USA
Set 1: Liza Jane[1], The Whales, Atlas Dogs[2] > California Magic, All I Need[3], Moonrise, I’m Writing A Novel[4], Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis[5], Rockdale Set 2: Thatch, True Love Waits[6], Man of Constant Sorrow[7], Lead Up, (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame[8], Everything Must Go, Dripfield, Ship Of Fools[9], Madhuvan Encore: U.S. Blues Coach’s Notes:
[1] Traditional. FTP as Orebolo. [2] FTP as Orebolo. [3] Slow, melodic version. With Secret Agent Man tease. [4] Father John Misty. [5] Tom Waits. [6] Radiohead. FTP. [7] Dick Burnett. FTP. [8] Elvis Presley. [9] Grateful Dead.
