NYC based artist Joe Geni released his single “City Where The Sky Subsides” on July 23 as a preview to his third album Cities Built Upon Cities.
The single is an electronic rock song with operatic vocals and an orchestral background. As inferred in the title, the song describes the story of a date being rained out and the disappointment that came with it. Geni is known for his speed and pitch manipulations. With a 3.5 octave range he has a unique talent.
Geni is originally from Illinois but moved to the NYC area for various jobs with the United Nations and eventually, his music career. Working between Manhattan and Long Island City, the ever-changing environment inspired his writing and upcoming album.
His career started in 2019 with his album After Wandering Empire and then Doggerland in 2021. Geni released another single, “City of Energy” earlier this year which will also appear on the Cities Built Upon Cities album coming out on Oct. 4.
Producer Charlie Nieland mixed his past and upcoming album giving it a new wave feel. Nieland previously worked with popular 80’s rock artists like Debbie Harry and Rufus Wainwright.
You can listen to Joe Geni’s music on any streaming service.
Singer-songwriter, Morley, from New York City, released her new song “Follow The Sound” on Friday, July 26. The song is the second single off her upcoming album of the same name, due Sept. 27.
While building up to the significance of her upcoming album, the song evidently explores the dynamic between witnessing hardships and processing them in one’s own way.
The new title track, “Follow The Sound” is full of Morley’s dedication to activism along with a soft mix of jazz and folk. The song comes after the artist witnessed some of the most devastating fundamental issues currently taking place, firsthand. Impacted by the devastation she saw, Morley channeled what she saw into a piece of work from the perspective of a child who is a victim of family border separation.
“Follow The Sound” is the work of Morley alongside her husband, producer, Chris Bruce, who also plays guitar on the record. Assisting the duo on the song and record are pianist pianist Jon Cowherd, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and drummer Jack DeBoe. The song is the second of four singles for the album including “It’s Hard To Stop” (June 21), “Follow The Sound” (July 26), “Here In Love” (August 9), and “Where Are We” (September 6).
‘Follow the Sound’ came to me while participating in an action at the US/Mexico Border responding to inhumane policies of family separation. The song speaks of a dream a child is having after being separated from their mother at the border, in the dream, the mother urges the child to follow the sound of her voice to find a safety beyond the physical realm. Follow the Sound is also a metaphor for following the sound of one’s own inner voice and the voice of the natural world, as one.
Morley
Morley uses her music to articulate her experiences with people of diverse backgrounds. After attending United Nations International School, and later the Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts, she’s accumulated knowledge about a variety of different cultures and the issues and discrimination people face. It was through those experiences, that she was able to form her views of the world, and therefore, her music.
Morley actively participates in multi-leveled activism such as fighting for human rights through releasing benefit albums. TED Women and TED X have also honored her as a featured performer and speaker. As a visionary through her music, she has brought artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Meryl Streep, and Rosanne Cash, among others together for powerful causes.
To stream”Follow The Sound” and learn more about Morley, visit www.morleymusic.org.
Folk-rock band The Felice Brothers and Dead Gowns performed at the local historic bar and venue, Mohawk Place on Tuesday, July 23.
Dead Gowns, led by Portland songwriter Geneviève Beaudoin, opened the show with an intimate acoustic set. Geneviève Beaudoin’s voice is the right mix of haunting and enchanting that hypnotized the audience into patiently waiting in the hot and intimate Mohawk Place on this steamy Tuesday evening. Dead Gowns will continue to tour with the Felice Brothers for the rest of July.
The Felice Brothers launched their Mohawk Place set with “Crime Scene Queen” to a packed room of die-hard fans erupting in cheers. One fan we spoke to even scheduled their summer visit to Buffalo around this show. They blended their set with their latest release songs from their 2024 album Valley of Abandoned Songs and an assortment of songs from their 19 albums and EPs.
Some notable songs performed were “Love me Tenderly,” “Whiskey In My Whiskey” and fan-favorite “Frankie’s Gun!” Lead vocals and energy by Ian Felice and James Felice were infectious. Ian’s vocals and guitars paired with James’ accordion and piano talent paired seamlessly with the talented Jesske Hume’s fluid bass and Will Lawrence’s steady drums.
One of the memorable aspects of the night was the request from a newlywed couple to perform “A Wonderful Life.” The band gladly performed the song and sang along with the couple, enjoying their moment of happiness. The band, all dressed in their finest blazers, were sweating along with the audience so Buffalo shared their hospitality by offering them all a nice, cold PBR to cool them off during their set. It almost felt like we were all invited to the couple’s wedding and we were celebrating all together, a beautiful moment of music, family and happiness.
Regardless of how well you know the Felice Brothers, they put on a show that makes you feel like you have known them for years. The Felice Brothers will be playing the Hollerhorn Distillery in Naples, New York on August 23rd.
Friends and Lovers, a bar, music venue and inclusive space located in Crown Heights Brooklyn, is on a mission to revive the soul of Brooklyn nightlife while giving back to the local community.
The space opened its doors in 2013 with founders Diana Mora and Dash Brody also the minds behind New York Nightlife United (NU). The organization aims to keep authentic New York Nightlife alive, raising money to keep venues afloat and to support local artists and producers.
Friends and Lovers has a strategic location on 641 Classon Ave., out of earshot of residential areas, but still nearby local businesses to draw in people coming in and out of Brooklyn. Although the neighborhood has gone through significant changes with new condos and businesses being placed in the area, according to their website, Friends and Lovers remains an inclusive sanctuary.
The venue also hosts the Classon Community Fridge, a free food fridge that’s completely volunteer run made to give back to the community. Donations come from local business and individual community members.
Along with in-house shows, they also host collaboration events. On June 23 they hosted the Summer Dance party at Brooklyn Bridge Park and on Aug. 4 they host Lazy Daze at Liberty Lawn.
Some of Friends and Lovers upcoming events include “Thoughtcraft,” a comedy show presented by local comics Spencer Simpson and Matt Kumar on July 25. The following night up and coming R&B artist Asante Phenix will perform his discography.
To find more upcoming events you can visit the website here.
Upcoming Events
July 25: Thoughtcraft: A Comedy Show
July 26: Asante Phenix Live
July 27: Candid Studios Presents: A Candid Comedy Show
As part of their historic farewell tour, Foreigner will play at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on July 30th. The local Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir (BPHS) will join the group for a performance of the legendary hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
In the lead-up to their tour, Foreigner began a contest to involve local schools in their performances. Among the many schools that submitted audition tapes was BPHS, who Foreigner ultimately chose to perform alongside at their Saratoga Springs show. Choir director Alex Hitrick recalled the immense work the students put into this audition. “I had the students figure out the harmonies sung by the New Jersey Mass Choir in the original song, arrange it, then sing it as a group.” To Hitrick, the student’s “ability to put their passions on display while having fun” made their tape stand out.
The BPHS Choir has grown immensely since director Alex Hitrick began five years ago. When he began, the choir only consisted of 12 students, but has since grown to 68. This upcoming year, they will have enough students to field two choirs. These students’ hard work has allowed them to return to the NYSSMA major festival for the first time in years. In light of all of this progress, Hitrick views their upcoming show with Foreigner as “absolutely a natural progression. The students not only put in the work that it takes to be stronger musicians, but have put their hearts into everything they do.”
Since winning the contest, the students have continued to work hard at their musical craft. BPHS will send 25 students to perform alongside Foreigner. These students have worked to fine tune all details of the song during rehearsals leading up to the show. As Hitrick admits, “While they may be a little nervous to be singing in front of thousands, I know being in the moment with each other surrounded by music will calm any nerves they may have.”
The Broadalbin-Perth Senior High School Choir, Source: Broadalbin-Perth Central School District
The main feeling surrounding the choir is excitement. Hitrick noticed that most students “have only heard snippets of music created from the 60s to 80s.” While many were aware of Foreigner’s hits, they did not know much about the band. After explaining Foreigner’s status as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the students recognized how important they really were. Now, Hitrick says “They cannot contain their excitement.” He specifically wanted to shout out one of his students “who will be singing every word to every song that they play.”
This performance has already had major impacts on the Broadalbin-Perth music program. Hitrick believes that the publicity from this performance will increase numbers for the choir. He expects that all music ensembles and extracurricular activities in the district will also receive a boost. This new interest can help students explore the “many different avenues of music that students can pursue.” In addition to increased interest, there are more immediate benefits to the performance. As part of the contest, Foreigner will donate $500 to the choir program to aid in its operations.
Hitrick believes that music is a fundamental part of education, “it is the time of day when we get to engage our brains in a different way. It’s the time when students don’t have to think about the pile of standardized tests they have to take or the insurmountable stress that is weighing them down.” In the end, music and creativity is what makes us human, so “When shaping well-rounded individuals to be the best that they can be, we mustn’t neglect the creative side to humans, and in our case, the future of music education.” Based on what Hitrick sees in his students, he says “the future of music looks bright.”
The performance at SPAC comes as part of Foreigner’s historic farewell tour with Styx. This tour comes after a near 50-year career that propelled Foreigner into rock stardom. Across their nine studio albums, Foreigner has racked up 14 top 20 hits. Audiences are sure to know tunes like “Cold As Ice” and “Juke Box Hero.” 2024 marks a big year for the band beyond just this tour. Foreigner’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is also scheduled for October 19th.
For more information on Foreigner’s July 30th show at SPAC with Broadalbin-Perth High School Choir, visit their website here.
This fall, Live from New York, Saturday Night Liveâs 50th anniversary will be celebrated, with season 50 of SNL airing on September 28.
With an election year on tap, SNL50 will bring out plenty of sketches lampooning the presidential race, likely calling back former cast members for cameos, if not outright regular roles (we’re looking at you Maya Rudolph as VP Kamala Harris).
An Election Special is slated for November, along with other specials around the holidays, plus a documentary series, a multi-part music specials series, and a comedy special at Radio City Music Hall. All this is part of a “seven-month long party” that celebrates the NBC institution.
Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin hosting, and musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian. The upcoming film, SNL 1975, directed by Jason Reitman, takes a look at what was unfolding behind-the-scenes in the moments leading up to SNL’s first broadcast.
The actual anniversary episode will air in on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 8-11pm, when the red carpet will be rolled out for current and former Saturday Night Live cast members as they arrive at Studio 8H to take part in the SNL50 Primetime Special.
In celebration of “Christmas in July,” Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. has announced that America’s most beloved holiday show, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, will be returning to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall from November 8, 2024, through January 5, 2025.
November 3, 2021: Dress rehearsal for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes.
A staple of the holidays in New York City, the awe-inspiring Christmas Spectacular features intricate choreography performed by the incomparable Radio City Rockettes throughout nine show-stopping numbers. The production, which can only be seen at Radio City Music Hall, blends classic numbers that audiences know and love, such as “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” with innovative technology that extends the show beyond the stage, including immersive digital projections.
In “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” the production’s newest number, which was introduced in 2022, the Rockettes perform alongside Frost Fairy drones that magically fly above the audience, turning Radio City into a winter wonderland. Since it opened at Radio City in 1933, the Christmas Spectacular has brought holiday joy to more than 71 million people from around the world.
The Radio City Rockettes, the longest-running precision dance company in America, are renowned for their unity, athleticism and iconic precision style that combines elements of ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as techniques of modern and contemporary dance. In addition to the Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes perform annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting and have appeared as part of some of the biggest events in entertainment, including the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NYC Pride Parade, and “Saturday Night Live.”
To ensure that the Rockettes line showcases greater diversity and that dancers from all backgrounds see themselves represented, the dance company actively works to open education and training opportunities to more dancers through a robust dancer development program, including the no-fee Rockettes Conservatory, and by establishing strong partnerships with diverse dance organizations like The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, and the International Association of Blacks in Dance.
Radio City Music Hall and the Christmas Spectacular provide a variety of accessibility offerings so more guests have an opportunity to enjoy the magic of Christmas. Through an ongoing partnership with KultureCity, a sensory room and sensory bags that contain special KultureCity VIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available at all performances of the Christmas Spectacular. Audiences at every performance can also access closed captioning on their personal devices via VITAC, and additional accessibility programming is offered at designated shows each season, including open-captioned, audio-described, and American Sign Language-interpreted performances, as well as a sensory-friendly performance in partnership with the Theatre Development Fund. For more information on these and other accommodations, including accessible and companion seats, please visit here.
Tickets for the 2024 production start at $45 when purchased in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Radio City Music Hall and for $56 when purchased online here. Visit here for more information.
The third annual Secret Dreams Music and Arts Festival brought together many of the top acts in the EDM and jam scene, including Tipper, the Disco Biscuits, Daily Bread, Detox Unit, Papadosio, Lotus and many more.
Secret Dreams went down in Legend Valley in Thornville, OH from July 18-20 and while the acts on the three main stages drew most of the attention there were workshops and art installations to delight the crowd as they explored to expansive grounds.
From the moment I hit play on Hot Freaks’ new album Hot Freaks Forever, I was instantly transported into a nostalgic time warp, addictingly reliving the raw angst and bittersweet memories of my high school days. With 10 funky synth-pop and disco tracks, Minneapolis indie pop-rock band Hot Freaks resurrected from an almost decade long hiatus and infectiously captured all of our hearts at the Mercury Lounge on July 19.
Photo by Alisha Goel
“We had already been talking about reuniting,” said frontman Leo Vondracek. “I could tell that our Spotify streams had been creeping up, which was weird because we weren’t doing anything about it at all.”
After years of inactivity from the band, the song “Puppy Princess” from their debut album Hot Freaks went viral and became an overnight hit. “I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal, but then later that week we were getting emails from record labels. It was very surreal,” Vondracek recounted.
Photo by Alisha Goel
Opening their set with “Let’s Start a Country” from their new album, the night started with everyone chanting unisonally “One, two, three, let’s start a country,” perfectly encapsulating the feeling of wanting to move away from modern civilization and disappear into a vacuum.
They then transitioned to some of their more personal and intimate songs like “Write Me Letters” and “Heartache” from their previous album. When asked if their songs are generally autobiographical, Vondracek replied, “The songs that have worked are the ones that have this vulnerability and intrigue. They’re mostly, I guess, autobiographical, and even if it’s not like the whole story, they have a nugget of truth in them.”
Photo by Alisha Goel
Comparing their latest album to their debut album, Vondracek commented, “I feel like maybe compared to the first record, the second one is a little less vulnerable or more hiding behind metaphors.” Keyboardist Celeste Heule seemed to agree with this, and shared her thoughts on it: “I do feel like the second album has a lot of secret vulnerabilities in every song, but that could also because I read into lyrics and have my own vivid imagination. I don’t even know what they’re about or what Leo is thinking, but I feel like I’m reading into his soul. It’s stuff he doesn’t want me to know.”
One of my favorites of the night was “Stuart Little Vibes,” a quirky song with a soothing bridge that made me feel sublimely elevated from the venue. While Vondracek described this song as “a bit cartoonish,” he also felt the song was very postmodern. “It was like an idea of a thing, it wasn’t an actual thing. We wanted to try making something funky and weird in a fun way,” explained Vondracek.
Photo by Alisha Goel
Diving into their songwriting process, Vondracek commented, “It’s like writing a diary entry and making yourself find a balance. If you’re feeling low, vent it, and if you can put it into a fun pop song that has a self-contained arc to it – that’s like really fun.” Vondracek also talked about finding courage in the process: “It’s kind of like skydiving. You have to get ready to bolster yourself up to jump out of that plane. It’s really similar – the courage to get up there and be vulnerable.”
The band also performed “What Can I Do?” from their latest album. While a lot of their music is about love and yearning for unrequited crushes, this song thematically stood out to me from their other music – painting an introspective picture on the struggles of moving on with melancholically upbeat instrumentals in the background. “It felt like a very first thing that popped into my mind. I thought that it was really fun because it was kind of a straight shooting, simple lyric and a sad vulnerable thing,” said Vondracek. Bassist Sarah Darnall added, “It’s like you did a really hard yoga class and you get to do your Savasana at the end.”
Photo by Alisha Goel
When asked about finality and completion of a song, Vondracek interestingly remarked: “A lot of time it feels like archaeology, like thrusting the dirt off and uncovering. Sometimes there is this intrinsic feeling, but more and more, I barely have that magic feeling. I think we all seek that feeling of completion, but if you don’t feel that, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith and believe that’s good.”
The night ended with their two most popular songs “Puppy Princess” and “I Wanna be your Boyfriend.” The crowd went absolutely crazy, and people were jumping, screaming their guts out and hugging their friends. The atmosphere was intoxicatingly electric, and the intensity made it feel like a massive block party where people were busting out their best dance moves. It was chaotic, unhinged and just the right amount of freaky.
Photo by Alisha Goel
Hot Freaks – Mercury Lounge, NYC – July 19, 2024
Setlist: Let’s Start a Country, Together Above, Write Me Letters, Heartache, End of the Night, Stuart Little Vibes, Boyfriend, Outset, Not Concerned with Everything, Girlfriend, I Want You To Be My Daddy, Baby Boy, What Can I Do, Puppy Princess, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
Photo by Alisha GoelPhoto by Alisha GoelPhoto by Alisha GoelPhoto by Alisha Goel
Beck’s deep decades-long catalog was on full display to a packed Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood on Tuesday, July 23.
With Edwin Outwater conducting another installment of Tanglewood’s Popular Artist Series, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer performed songs from albums Sea Change and Morning Phase, two albums designed for performance with a full orchestra, having kicked off with shows in Washington state and California earlier in July.
The show featured not just songs from the two GRAMMY nominated albums – with Morning Phase winning Album of the Year in 2015 – but also deeper cuts from Mutations, Odelay, and more, with fan favorites mixed in, as Beck presented a well-rounded view of his three-decade spanning catalog.
Beginning at 7:21pm with Outwater walking out to join the Boston Pops, Beck followed behind as “Cycle” was played, moving into “Golden Age,” with Beck introducing his ‘new’ band to the crowd. Presenting his rock star cool – shades, an open-button white shirt with french cuffs, black blazer and pants, all despite having his luggage lost by an airline and even borrowing a pair of shoes – Beck strode about the stage, leading the show alongside Outwater’s conducting.
Beck recalled how he had visited Tanglewood once prior, just to see the place, and cited that he was jealous of the picknickers on the lawn. Cheers followed as he introduced “Wave,” off Morning Phase. Showing a versatility of songwriting influences, Beck shifted south to Brazil, playing “Tropicali,” suggesting that one day he might make a full album of Brazilian music.
With an upgraded sound thanks to the 80 or so members of the Boston Pops (making for quite the tour bus, Beck later quipped), a fresh orchestra intro to “New Pollution” stood out in the first radio-friendly song of the night, with Beck’s band taking the lead on guitar and bass for the first time this evening.
Giving a shout out to his mom who was in attendance this evening, the mellow vibe of the show (save “New Pollution”) was discussed as he moved into “Missing” off Guero, with strings arranged by his father, David Chapman. This Mortal Coil’s “Tarantula” was dedicated to the goths in attendance this evening, with Beck saying “I know you’re out there, beyond the trees.”
Beck noted that he sought to perform music that inspired him, including that of Frank Sinatra and Scott Walker, the latter of whom two songs were performed this evening – “It’s Raining Today” and “Montague Terrace (in Blue)” – songs that Beck himself wanted to hear played by an orchestra.
“We Live Again” was dedicated to French singer Françoise Hardy, who passed away earlier this summer. “Phase,” “Morning” and “Waking Light,” rounded out the orchestral performances this evening, with one more surprise in store – Beck’s 1996 hit “Where It’s At” – played with depth and panache from all musicians on stage.
Beck took time to thank the Boston Pops, specifically thanking each individual section of the orchestra – strings, woodwinds, brass and the rest – before they slowly departed the stage.
With a core band remaining, each of whom had been on the recording of Sea Change and Morning Phase – Justin Meldal-Johnsen (bass), Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (keys), Jason Faulkner (guitar), and Joey Waronker (drums) – Beck playfully asked ‘Where’s my orchestra?,’ before wandering the stage to get a perspective from the musicians view, sitting in the harpist’s seat, playing the vibraphone and gong, and finally breaking out a harmonica for a solo number, “One Foot in the Grave,” off Stereopathetic Soulmanure (as well as the title of another Beck album).
The feedback friendly “Devil’s Haircut” followed as energetic as ever, with breakout single “Loser” – a song Beck has now been playing for more than 30 years – closing the night.
While you could look at the setlist and see that some hits (including all of 2017’s Colors) were left unplayed, there were no complaints to be heard as Beck’s catalog runs deep. Given his excitement over the show and praise for Tanglewood and the Boston Pops, it feels we might see him back soon in the future.
Beck with the Boston Pops – Tanglewood, Lenox, MA – Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Setlist: Cycle, The Golden Age, Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime, Lonesome Tears, It’s Raining Today, Wave, Tropicalia, Blue Moon, Lost Cause, The New Pollution, Missing, Tarantula, Round the Bend, Paper Tiger, We Live Again, Montague Terrace (in Blue), Phase, Morning, Waking Light, Where It’s At
Encore (Beck and his band): One Foot in the Grave, Devils Haircut, Mixed Bizness, Loser
Beck 2024 Tour Dates: 7/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center (w/ The Philadelphia Orchestra) 7/27 – Vienna, VA – Wolftrap (w/ The National Symphony Orchestra) 7/29-30 – New York, NY – Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall (w/ The Orchestra Of St. Luke’s) 9/19-22 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond 9/28 – St. Louis, MO – Evolution Festival 9/29 – Huntsville, AL – South Star Music Festival
