NYS Music 2024

Category: Albany

  • Jimkata Go “Off the Rails”, Tour Begins in Buffalo at Babeville

    Get ready, Jimkata fans! The Psychedelic super pop jam band is back with a fresh new single, “Off The Rails” that’s set to be the soundtrack of your fall.

    Known for their electrifying blend of indie rock and synth-driven beats, Jimkata has been a staple of the indie music scene, and their latest track doesn’t disappoint. The single offers a glimpse into their upcoming album, Running In Place which is released Friday, October 4th and is packed with the band’s signature energy and fresh new vibes.

    To celebrate the release, Jimkata is hosting an Album Release Party Friday at Asbury Hall aka Babeville in Buffalo, and you won’t want to miss it! This is your chance to catch them live, hear your favorites plus hits off the new album, and experience the magic that only Jimkata can deliver. Big Something is opening the show.

    NYS Music spoke to Jimkata ahead of the show and album release.

    NYS Music: What kind of themes or stories are fans going to hear on this new album? Did anything unexpected inspire you guys this time around? 

    Jimkata: I think as musicians and individuals we’ve all been navigating our way through a lot of changes and challenges the last few years. We started working on this album as a three piece, sort of doing what we could here and there while touring and Packy and Aaron becoming new fathers, while also trying to fund the process entirely independently. It hasn’t always been easy the last few years but it feels like a “pressure makes diamonds” type of situation. In that time, we added Cooper into the band full time on bass/synths and have been discovering a new sound or really, just advancing it to a new level. It’s hard to sum it up musically or lyrically since I think it’s pretty diverse between songs but I know for sure I pushed myself into some new territory at times while writing and recording this one. There were plenty of unexpected “aha” moments.

    NYS Music: If you could describe the new album in three words, what would they be? What kind of wild ride can Jimkata fans expect?

    Jimkata: Full Spectrum Jimkata. We chose to incorporate both studio and live tracks to try to encompass where we’re at right now. It felt natural to end the album with the live stuff since this process began with a lot of isolated sessions, often just one or two of us working on a demo at home or with a producer. Then after playing a bunch of shows on the fall tour, building some chemistry on stage between the four of us, we knew we needed to get all of us in a room to work on the remaining new songs as a band and capture the vibe. I think the emotion of our songs gets amplified at shows because of the energy in the room and we wanted to show what that currently sounds like literally but also channel that into the studio stuff too.

    NYS Music: How do you decide which older songs to include in the setlist alongside the new tracks? Are there any fan favorites you always keep in rotation?

    Jimkata: Sometimes it’s by fan request. Someone messages us about wanting to hear a certain song one night and we say, yea lets do it. Sometimes it’s something one of us brings up in a rehearsal. Like, “Hey what about this song?”. Sometimes we feel like we need a certain tempo or vibe at a specific time in a set and there are a few that always seem to do the trick. Its kinda tough because we have so many to choose from now but we’ve been embracing the whole catalog a lot more these days. We definitely know which songs seem to be clicking with the crowd but are always testing out new ideas or further enhancing an old song.

    NYS Music: Any songs on the new album that ended up surprising you or going in a completely different direction than you thought?

    Jimkata: Almost all of them but probably the song Running in Place was the big surprise. It came together after a frustrating day in the studio where we seemed to be losing creative steam on a different song. We thought about what kind of song we needed vibe wise to round out the album and it just wasn’t it. Jocko (producer) asked if I had any other demos laying around and I rifled through a bunch of song ideas for them and the immediate reaction to Running in Place (aka ‘Spirals’) from everybody was, “Yea this one!”. We were getting really close, if not already past the deadline we gave ourselves so I went home and finished writing the song over the weekend and sent it around to everybody. We went back in and tracked it in a day and overnight we had this brand new tune that didn’t exist a week ago. Lyrically we felt like this idea of Running in Place resonated with how we felt about life lately- working your ass off trying to keep up with everything and in some ways feeling like you’re moving forward but other times like you’re just running on a treadmill. 

    The middle section on “Off the Rails” was also an unexpected moment of inspiration. We stumbled into the breakdown section while playing it live in the studio. Then weeks later, I’m driving there to record vocals, listening to the song, and I come up with this vocal idea. It’s almost insane sounding and we wanted to lean into that unhinged character. I really enjoyed yelling like a crazy person in the vocal booth, something I’m not sure I’ve done before but clearly was exactly what I needed to do and is probably a more accurate portrayal of how stressful life has been at times in the last few years for me. “

    NYS Music: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to upcoming and inspiring indie artists trying to find their voice and grow their audience in today’s music scene?

    Jimkata: We don’t really know what to tell anyone since it seems like today’s landscape is very different from the one we started with and even the “professionals” are always trying to figure out what the hell is going on. However, we’ve seen a lot of things come and go in a short amount of time and things change, but some things remain true. Obviously social media is important, but I’d say don’t forget to just get out there and play a show, a party, whatever. Get together with friends and jam, go to shows and meet other musicians, other bands. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, suck, mess up in front of people, write songs you might not like later. Just laugh and learn from it. With a world of talented people on a screen in our pockets it can be intimidating and feel like maybe you’ll never be “good enough” to put yourself out there. But music is art, expression. It’s not always about technical ability although that’s important too. It’s about expression and having fun and sharing an experience with others not just on a screen, but in person.”

    For more on Jimkata, visit their website here.

    To purchase tickets to the album release party, click here.

    2024 Running In Place Tour Dates

    10.04 Asbury Hall at Babeville • Buffalo, NY

    10.17 Mercury Lounge • New York, NY

    10.18 Soundcheck Studios• Pembroke, MA

    10.19 Arch Street Tavern • Hartford, CT

    10.25 Appalachian Brewing Company • Harrisburg, PA

    10.31 The Stone Church • Newmarket, NH

    11.01 Nectar’s • Burlington, VT

    11.02 Waterhole • Saranac Lake, NY

    11.08 Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery • Altamont, NY – **Jimkata Beer Release**

    11.15 Pearl Street Warehouse • Washington, DC

    11.21 The Philmore• Grand Rapids, MI

    11.22 Bourbon on Division • Chicago, IL

    11.23 Kenny’s Westside • Peoria, IL

    12.12 Thunderbird Café & Music Hall • Pittsburgh, PA

    12.14 Deep Dive • Ithaca, NY

  • Lost Radio Rounders To Perform Benefit Concert In Albany

    The Historic American Music trio Lost Radio Rounders will return to Albany to perform a concert benefiting Guilderland Food Pantry on October 24.

    Eddie Award-nominated Lost Radio Rounders is a Historic American Music Trio that presents themed programs and concerts of Acoustic American Roots to folks in Upstate New York and beyond. Members Tom Lindsay, Michael Eck, and Paul Jossman each bring a variety of instrumental skills and musical backgrounds including guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, dobro, vocals, and more.

    The trio, best known for their blend of historical spirituals, folk hymns, and gospel blues, have dedicated themselves to the history, education, and performance of American sounds, consistently bringing folks together for the sake of live performance- and much more.

    In an exciting return to a pre-pandemic practice of theirs, the Lost Radio Rounders will be bringing their act to the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church’s stage in Guilderland for a night of live music with a cause on Thursday, October 24. Benefiting the Guilderland Food Pantry, the concert will be completely free of charge and instead  encourages donations to the cause.

    Joining the Rounders will be an old friend of the trio, vocalist and harmonica ace Ryan Dunham. An Albany local, Dunham hails from roots rockers Red Haired Strangers. He’s no stranger to performing alongside Lost Radio Rounders, his unique musical presence guaranteeing an elevated live experience that is not one to be missed.

    As mentioned, the musical benefit will be free to attend, and all donations will go to the Guilderland Food Pantry. To learn more about the evening of music for a cause on October 24 at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, you can visit the Lost Radio Rounder’s website here.

  • At Live Dead and Brothers, Sidemen Take Center Stage

    What does the son of an Allman Brothers bassist, a late-60s member of The Grateful Dead, and a studio guitar foil for Dickie Betts have in common?

    All are members of Live Dead and Brothers, a group that pays tribute to the golden era of psychedelic blues by alternating covers of Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers material from the days when the Fillmore was still wide open on both coasts.

    The band’s all-star lineup featured Les Dudek (guitar) from The Allman Brothers Band, original Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten, Berry Duane Oakley (bass, vocals) from The Allman Betts Band, Mark Karan (guitar, vocals) from Bob Weir & Rat Dog, Scott Guberman (keyboards, vocals) from Phil Lesh & Friends, and Pete Lavezzoli (drums, vocals) from Oteil and Friends.

    The ensemble formed to revive the magic of the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Band’s co-billed concerts during the period of 1969 to 1973, and at times, the twin guitar attack made you wonder what kind of supergroup could have been formed had the Dead and the Brothers ever decided to do more than an encore jam together.

    The tour, which landed in Albany at Empire Live on Friday, marks the final East Coast run for Tom Constanten, who recently announced his retirement (though he will still compose and play local gigs near his home on the West Coast).

    Despite some canceled tour dates due to a health concern earlier this summer, all of the band members looked pretty good. Considering their collective road mileage, the music sounded young and fresh too. 

    Karan, Oakley Jr, Guberman, and Lavezzoli alternated vocal responsibilities, but it was the dueling guitars of Karan and studio legend Les Dudek that really stole the show. Karan played a Les Paul Goldtop for most of the night, channeling the recently departed Dickie Betts, while Dudek’s custom Strat served as a perfect compliment. 

    Particularly on the Allman Brothers tunes, where Dudek pulled out his glass slide to play those buttery Duane-leads, the band was firing on all cylinders. And where their vocal harmonies left something to be desired at times, the twin guitar harmonies on songs like “Blue Sky” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” was Southern Rock personified.

    At times, the two drum approach of both legendary bands was noticeably missing, but Lavezzoli often nailed the swing style of Billy the Drummer, and his impassioned singing on “Stormy Monday” was the best vocal performance of the night. He also crushed his role as Jerry-ballad leader on “High Time”.

    Oakley also turned in a yeoman’s performance, holding down the low end and taking lead vocals on songs like “One Way Out”, a superb “Blue Sky”, and “Statesboro Blues”.

    While it was the Allmans songs that shined brightest, the group got the heavily tie dyed (alebit modest in size) crowd twirling on a “China>Rider” medley where Karan impressively played both the Weir and Garcia parts.

    And if dueling guitars weren’t enough, there were also dueling pianos, or, dueling Nords to be specific. Guberman handled Gregg and Brent-style organ sounds on his Nord Electro 4 and TC did his noodling on a Nord Stage 3. Constanten was erudite as ever with his playful counterpoint lines, though somewhat buried in the mix. That said, the sound in the club was relatively excellent, reminding this listener of what an improvement the Empire Live sound is over the muddy strip mall sound of predecessor clubs Northern Lights and Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park.

    View Grateful Dead shows from across the years in New York State with our interactive map below

    After a brief intermission, the band’s second set leaned hard on Europe ‘72 numbers by the Dead (including a touching “He’s Gone” which reminded me of TC’s advancing age and the many Brothers and Sisters these road warriors have lost). 

    But it was the Allman’s instrumental “Jessica” that garnered the biggest crowd reaction of the night. Dudek, who played on the original recording of the track, handled the slide masterfully, and Guberman channeled Chuck Leavell in his best solo of the evening. 

    “Jessica” has always been a great road song, and was even used as a needle drop in a scene in the movie Field of Dreams when former hippie Ray Kinsella hits the open road in his VW bus. In other words, it makes sense that these longtime sidemen, after years of touring, have their chance to take center stage with a tune that’s helped so many music fans make it down the road another few miles, headed for the next show. 

    While they weren’t “Truckin’ up to Buffalo” the band did come into Albany from a show in Buffalo on Thursday, and of course they played “Truckin’” too. On a night that was a little short on extended jams save for “The Other One”, and the second-set closer “Elizabeth Reed”, a long coda on “Truckin’” got a little weird and was one of my favorite instrumental moments (particularly when they teased Donovan’s “Mountain Jam” riff).

    Hearing “Jessica” and “Truckin’” into “Mountain Jam” was kind of like living out some kind of dream from my youth. I used to alternate a cassette copy of Skeletons in the Closet  and The Best of The Allman Brothers’ back in the days when I could only afford to own a few albums and cassettes instead of the basement-full I have now. And in those days I knew every note on those cassettes and played them until one of them got stuck in the deck. Or, maybe my tapes got melted on a hot summer day when the sun ruined my collection, boiling the plastic cases through the hatchback of my 1990 Ford Probe. In short, alternating Allmans and Dead material took me back to a place,and I could tell it took others in the audience even even further back in time. It also made for one heck of a fun night out.

    Here’s wishing Tom Constanten well on this last leg of his Long Strange Trip. Live Dead and Brothers has a number of tour dates through mid-October and three more dates in New York State in Bethel, Canandaigua, and Syracuse that are well-worth seeking out if you want to wish TC an East Coast farewell.

    Live Dead and Brothers Setlist; Empire Live Albany, 9/27/2024

    Set 1: Turn on Your Lovelight, One Way Out, Hurts Me Too, Blue Sky, Bertha, Stormy Monday, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, High Time, Hot Lanta

    Set 2: Hard to Handle, Statesboro Blues, Tennessee Jed, Jessica, He’s Gone, Truckin’ (w/outro jam & “Mountain Jam” tease), Spoonful, Dreams, The Other One, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

    Encore: Ramblin’ Man – Les Dudek on vocals for the only time all night!

  • Albany Symphony and ESYO Present “Symphony Side-by-Side”

    On Monday, Oct. 14, The Albany Symphony and the Empire State Youth Orchestra will offer the chance to rehearse and perform with a professional symphony orchestra in a “Symphony Side-by-Side” at MVP Arena in Albany.

    Symphony Side-by-Side

    Following the success of last year’s “Movie Music Play-In,” which engaged more than 1,500 people, the Albany Symphony and the ESYO have announced a special free family-friendly event, entitled “Symphony Side-by-Side,” that is designed to engage and entertain audiences of all ages.

    Members of the ESYO along with high school and college students from across the Capital Region, will join forces with the Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony. Together, they will rehearse and perform, gaining invaluable experience in the professional symphonic performance process. Musicians from both the Albany Symphony and ESYO will perform a dynamic selection of music—ranging from blockbuster hits in film, television, and video games to beloved symphonic classics—while sitting literally side by side.

    ESYO, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1979, has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards. 

    The event will culminate in a grand finale featuring community musicians of all ages, celebrating the unifying power of music. For the finale, audience members are invited to join the stage with their instruments for a lively performance of John Williams’ iconic “Imperial March” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Community members can choose to participate at different points throughout the concert.

    Families can also enjoy a variety of activities, including an “instrument petting zoo,” where children can explore and try out different musical instruments.

    Learn more here.

  • Albany Swoons For Teddy Swims at Sold-Out Palace Theatre

    Teddy Swims has become a name synonymous with raw emotion and versatility, and on Thursday night, September 26th at Albany’s Palace Theatre, he proved why he’s one of the most magnetic performers in music today.

    The Atlanta-born singer sold out the venue, bringing his soul-stirring blend of R&B, pop, country, and rock to an adoring crowd as part of his “I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy” tour. Along with a joyous opening set from country-rap artist Breland, fans weren’t just showing up for the music, they came for the connection and they came to party. 

    Teddy Swims sold-out the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    Opening the night was Breland, a country-rap hybrid artist who’s quickly making a name for himself with his genre-defying sound. His energy was infectious as he performed hits like “My Truck,” “For What It’s Worth,” and “Thick.” He was the perfect warm-up for an audience ready to feel every lyric. Breland’s ability to mix country storytelling with urban beats mirrors Swims’ ability to blend styles, making him a natural opener for this tour. After a brief set-change, it was finally time to jump into the deep end.

    Country-rap crossover artist Breland opening for Teddy Swims in Albany on 9/26/24.

    The bond between Teddy Swims and his fans runs deeper than his music. At the Palace Theatre, it was clear that his audience connects with him on a personal level. This is a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve—quite literally, as his tattoos tell the story of his life and struggles. His heavily inked arms are a reflection of his journey, including a prominent “Create Forever” tattoo that serves as a mantra for the singer. Teddy’s tattoos are more than just ink—they are milestones in his personal journey.

    Each piece is carefully curated to represent his struggles, growth, and commitment to his craft. His body art has become as iconic as his voice, with fans often asking about the stories behind the designs. From lyrics of songs to meaningful symbols that represent family, Swims’ tattoos have become part of his brand. Whether he’s singing about love, heartbreak, or resilience, fans see a part of themselves in his lyrics, and it’s this authenticity that sets him apart.

    Teddy Swims performing at the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    Opening his performance at the Palace with “Goodbye’s Been Good to You” and “What More Can I Say,” from the moment Teddy and his band, Freak Freely, took the stage, the audience was completely enamored.  With both girls and guys regularly blurting out “I love you, Teddy!”  he was always quick to acknowledge he heard them and that he loves them right back.  After all, as Swims is quick to point out, it’s because of them that he’s allowed to “have the best job in the world.” His one request for the evening was that everyone has fun, stays hydrated and to look after the people in their section to make sure everyone was all good.

    During his set, you could feel the energy in the room shift when he introduced songs like “Broke,” which tackles financial struggles, and “911,” a deeply emotional track about mental health. Following them up with a pair of his most recent singles, “Bad Dreams” and “Funeral,” Teddy’s themes often range from self-empowerment to vulnerability, but at the core of every song is the idea of keeping it real, even when life gets hard. Referencing just how far he’s come since the last time he was in Albany, at the much smaller Empire Live venue down the street in November of 2022, his rocket ship to the top has been full throttle ever since, yet Teddy seems to be the same guy now that local fans fell in love with back then.

    Teddy Swims performing at the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    Swims rise to fame started humbly, as he began uploading covers to YouTube in 2019. What set him apart was his ability to take on songs from a wide range of genres—everything from Marvin Gaye to Shania Twain—and infuse them with his unique grit and soul. That versatility earned him viral success and a massive following, catapulting him into mainstream success. His cover of “You’re Still the One” went viral, showcasing his vocal power, which, combined with his vulnerability, won over millions.

    Now, with 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify and growing, he’s proving that his original material connects just as much as the covers that brought him into the spotlight. Of the many highlights of the night though, perhaps none was more touching than when Teddy invited his main squeeze out for a duet on the aforementioned Shania cover of “You’re Still the One.” At the end of the song, the two exchanged a heartfelt kiss in the middle of the stage which elicited a HUGE ovation, even bringing some to tears.

    Teddy Swims performing at the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    While Teddy’s voice is his ultimate instrument, it was the band behind him that brought the music to life. Backing him up on stage was Freak Freely, a tight-knit band of musicians who are as dynamic and versatile as Teddy himself. They seamlessly blend genres, moving from soulful ballads to full-blown rock numbers. The core group includes Addy Maxwell (guitar), Christian Medice (drums), and Kyng Henson (bass), each bringing their own flavor to the sound.

    Their synergy with Swims is palpable, creating an atmosphere where every note feels meaningful. Wowing the crowd with their chops on songs like “Hammer to the Heart,” “Devil in a Dress” and the party anthem “Apple Juice,”  Teddy made sure to give each member of the group ample time to shine in the spotlight too. 

    Teddy Swims performing at the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    A true man of the people, during various guitar, keyboard and drum solo breaks throughout the night, Teddy could be seen signing autographs and T-shirts that people had brought up to the stage.   He was even totally cool with people being on their phones during the show. In fact, at one point during his song “Simple Things,” he encouraged everyone to text a friend or a loved one that they hadn’t been in touch with for a while, just to let them know you still care. 

    His endearing sentimentality also came through prior to performing “Some Things I’ll Never Know,” in which he admits he still thinks about a particular ex-lover and wonders what could have been, before “hypothetically” wishing she was doing well. The ballads continued with “Last Communion” before 2021’s “Bed on Fire” from his album Unlearning brought the main portion of the show to a close and left the audience begging for more.

    Watch fan shot footage of Teddy Swims performing “Lose Control” live in Albany on 9/26/24.

    Returning to the stage with a huge smile on his face, Teddy would soulfully croon “Tell Me” before an absolutely gorgeous piano solo gave the audience ample time to contemplate life. Following an equally beautiful guitar solo intro by Addy Maxwell, fans finally got the song they had been waiting all night for.  A veritable smash hit with well over 1 billion streams in just over a year, “Lose Control” had people from the very front to the very top of the balcony singing along with every word.  It was one of those concert moments that simply gives you the chills and you knew it was something special.   With time left for just one more song, Teddy Swims sent fans out of the Palace Theatre doors in a near euphoric state with one final hit, “The Door,” bringing the scintillating performance to a close. 

    Teddy Swims performing at the Palace Theatre in Albany on 9/26/24.

    As giddy fans gathered outside, the buzz over what they had just experienced felt palpable. Everyone just knew they had to savor the moment, because everyone knew it would likely be the last time they saw Teddy Swims in a venue this size.  Destined for bigger stages in bigger cities, years from now, people will still be talking about this show and saying “I remember the night Teddy sold-out the Palace and it’s still one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.”   As Teddy Swims continues his North American tour, he’s gearing up for stops in Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. His star is only rising, and if his show in Albany was any indication, this is just the beginning. Fans are flocking to see a singer who doesn’t just perform songs—he lives them. Every tear, every smile, every ounce of sweat is real, and that’s why Teddy Swims’ shows feel like much more than a night of music—they feel like a shared experience.

    Teddy Swims | September 26, 2024 | Palace Theatre | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Goodbye’s Been Good to You, What More Can I Say, Broke, 911, Bad Dreams, Hammer to the Heart, All That Really Matters, Devil in a Dress, Funeral, Apple Juice, Simple Things, You’re Still the One*, Some Things I’ll Never Know, Last Communion, Bed on Fire.

    Encore: Tell Me, Lose Control, The Door.

    Breland | September 26, 2024 | Palace Theatre | Albany, NY

       

  • Palace Sessions Live Hosted by PhanArt and Mirth Films

    PhanArt, in collaboration with Mirth Films, will host a hometown show at Albany’s Palace Theatre. This show will take place on Saturday, October 26 from Noon to 5:00 PM.

    This hometown PhanArt event will feature the New Paltz band Kale and a DJ set from Sweeping Views, in addition to a great selection of art, for the October edition of Palace Sessions Live.

    PhanArt and Mirth Films Palace Sessions Live Promo

    This edition of Palace Sessions by PhanArt and Mirth Films will feature dozens of local talent and vendors. In addition, the event also features art by those from the greater Phish community across the country.

    Palace Sessions is a series that features live music from regional and national talent. In 2020, The Palace Sessions was created to provide music and entertainment to the Capital Region while venues were still closed due to COVID. In addition to entertainment, Mirth Films and Albany wanted to raise money to support the theatre. Today, The Palace Sessions continues the tradition with performances in the lobby of the theater.

    Kale is playing 2 sets in the afternoon, and guests can also expect music from Sweeping Views between performances. Kale is a band from New Paltz that specializes in genre-blending indietronica music. The band combines a love of energetic hooks, electronic rhythms, and soaring melodies to create something beautiful. Their music allows for deep exploration of the music cosmos, elevating the Palace Sessions Live experience.

    Read our profile on Kale from this summer!

    Featuring free entry and online viewing options, Palace Sessions is staying true to its roots of being accessible for all. For more info, visit here. Past Palace Sessions Live performers include Eastbound Jesus, Annie in the Water, Thomas Nicholas, moe., Moriah Formica, and more. To see past live performances, visit here.

    The Palace Theatre is just a 0.5 mile walk down Pearl Street from the MVP Arena (where Phish is performing for three nights).

  • Trey Anastasio Releases Instrumental Album ‘Atriums’

    Phish lead guitarist Trey Anastasio has officially released a new guitar-only instrumental album entitled Atriums via Rubber Jungle Records. The music is culled from years of experimental soundchecks and selections that were played in the public spaces, namely the atrium, at Las Vegas’ Sphere during the band’s recent run there in April. Proceeds from this new release will benefit the Divided Sky Foundation and its newly opened facility in Ludlow, Vermont.

    Anastasio and Phish – renowned for creating immersive concert experiences – took full advantage at Sphere, utilizing sculptures, light and sound to transform the hallways of the futuristic venue. Those ambient soundscapes are now released as ATRIUMS. The six-track album doesn’t feature any strange song names but the music is far from ordinary and each one is approximately 15 minutes in length and offers a unique sonic composition consisting primarily of droning loops, echoes, and waves of tonal feedback layered with gentle, melodic fretwork.

    “Atrium 1” features some harrowing, echoey guitar effects interspersed with brief moments of digital feedback. Whereas “Atrium 3” has a more blissful demeanor with simple, repetitive melodies on a loop, not too dissimilar from how the band’s “secret” third set at Mondegreen started where they played behind a screen of accompanying visuals instead of in front of one like Sphere. See below for all selections from the recently released Atriums.

    In addition to this album, Phish also recently announced a special three-day run of shows in Albany, NY at MVP Arena that will also serve as a benefit to the Divided Sky Foundation. A limited amount of tickets can still be found on tickemaster.com.

  • Acoustic Duo Murray’s Law to Deliver Exclusive Performance at The Egg

    Dynamic acoustic duo Murray’s Law is set to deliver an exclusive performance at Swyer Theater at The Egg in Albany on October 20.

    The acoustic duo features Brian Murray and Jimmy Law from the acclaimed New Jersey jam quintet Dogs in a Pile. Murray’s Law delivers an acoustic experience that highlights their vibrant covers and a compelling mix of original compositions, making each performance a bold and engaging experience.

    The intimate setting of the Swyer Theater offers the perfect backdrop for audiences to connect with the raw musical prowess and captivating energy that Brian and Jimmy bring to the stage.

    murray's law the egg

    Murray’s Law emerges from the profound creative synergy between Brian and Jimmy, known for their role in Dogs in a Pile—a band currently riding the wave of success with a string of notable achievements. Dogs in a Pile has captivated the Capital Region for years, recently making regional headlines after announcing their second annual headlining New Year’s Eve run at Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Place.

    They further solidified their reputation with a stellar summer tour featuring sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Colorado’s Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Their participation in the “Pigeons Frasco Dogs Tour” showcased their ability to electrify audiences on large stages nationwide.

    murray's law the egg

    For more information on the upcoming performance by Murray’s Law and to purchase tickets to the show, click here.

  • In Focus: Say She She at Lark Hall

    On Friday, September 20, Brooklyn based female singing trio Say She She made a long-awaited stop at Lark Hall in Albany. Lead singers Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown are all classical trained singers but come together to create disco-funk music.

    say she she

    Say She She gave a beautiful performance filled with songs that had all of Lark Hall following their dances. Their stage presence was captivating; from the audience we were able to see the band’s friendship on display.

    say she she

    During the show, Say She She gave a speech about the upcoming election making huge impact on many controversial laws. They invited Lark Hall to join them in promoting change by sending post cards addressed to their Representatives, begging for stricter gun laws. The band also spoke out on abortion laws and asked the audience to raise their hands along with them in support of anyone who has been harmed by these laws.

    say she she

    They then sang “Echo In The Chamber” a song they stated is the soundtrack to their campaign for better gun laws. The song features the heartfelt lyrics “Call the shots, make it stop, what’s it gonna take?” and “Just because you know who they are, doesn’t mean they bear you no harm.” The song resulted in a sea of hands raised in support and all of Lark Hall rushing to fill out postcards.

    say she she
    say she she
    say she she
    say she she
    say she she

  • Albany Symphony Announces Water Music NY: More Voices Festival

    The Albany Symphony has announced the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival, a mini concert series celebrating underrepresented voices to commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal’s completion.

    Water Music NY: More Voices Festival

    Two-time Grammy award winners and the most ASCAP awarded orchestra in America, the Albany Symphony is highly respected and admired for their blend of classical orchestral performances, lesser-heard masterworks, and a diverse selection of works from the leading and emerging voices of this generation.

    Led by Music Director David Alan Miller, the Symphony brings a world-premiere or recent composition to every single one of their performances. In addition, they host a multi-day American Music Festival that celebrates both established and emerging living composers, a family series and holiday concerts that are both an active collaboration with youth performing arts groups, and an array of award-winning education programs, including the Symphony in Our Schools program that introduces musicians to the classroom for interactive music education.

    With a history of bringing new voices to light like theirs, the Albany Symphony’s newest endeavor, Water Music NY, only makes sense. Inspired by the orchestra’s original 2017 Water Music NY Festival, the project is a three-year venture expanding upon the original musical tour down the Erie Canal. Now, with more resources and bigger pictures in mind, the Symphony is uplifting underrepresented voices including those of women, immigrants, people of color, and indigenous peoples.

    “We believe that by commissioning brilliant new works by some of the most compelling composers working today, and challenging them to look at the Canal through fresh eyes, the music they create will spark dialogue, expand perspectives, and energize canalside communities on what the Canal represents, and what it can become.” 

    – David Alan Miller

    In collaboration with the New York State Canal Corporation, this fall’s Water Music NY: More Voices programming includes five free pop-up concerts, featuring small ensembles of Albany Symphony musicians and vocalists along the path of the Erie Canal, highlighting the 524 mile system’s past, present, and future.  

    Performances will occur at the Lock Tenders Tribute Monument in Lockport, Old Lock 36  (near  Lock 17) in Little Falls, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, Waterloo (Livestream only), and the Montezuma Audubon Center at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. In addition to in person attendance, each concert will be available to view online via livestream. Featured composers Daniel Bernard Roumain, Clarice Assad, Francisco del Pino, Dai Wei, and Juhi Bansal will all have their works premiered at these venues along the Canal.

    Daniel Bernard Roumain’s piece, Agrarian and Liquid, was the result of a partnership with librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph. The piece highlights the relationship between the Erie Canal and abolitionist and freedom fighter Harriet Tubman.

    Francisco del Pino’s piece, Orenda, is inspired by the concepts of place and connectedness with nature through a continuous stream of motion under which things change imperceptibly over time, just as with bodies of water. Floating above the piece is a vocalist chanting words from the Oneida Nation’s motto: good mind, good heart, strong fire.

    Clarice Assad’s piece and world premiere, Earth and Water, explores themes of environmental change, human progress, and the relationship between nature and civilization as it is rooted in the Erie Canal’s construction. Concepts for the composition emerged from a conversation with celebrated Mohawk storyteller, teacher, and writer Kay Olan.

    Dai Wei will perform a livestream exclusive show featuring a piece exploring the journey of Chinese merchant Oong Ar Showe who adeptly navigated the social and economic landscape of 19th century America, emphasizing the key role the Erie Canal played in facilitating interregional trade.

    Juhi Bansal’s piece Refuge will wrap the mini-concert series in the thriving expanse of marshes belonging to the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

    For more information on these performances and how to attend/watch virtually, please visit here. 

    The full list of performances is below.

    Water Music NY: More Voices Festival Mini-Series Dates

    Thursday, September 26, 4:00pm

    Lockport Flight of Five in Lockport, NY – Lock Tenders Tribute Monument

    Friday, September 27, 4:00pm

    Little Falls, NY, Old Lock 36, near Lock 17

    Saturday, September 28, 4:00pm

    Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Fort Hunter, NY – In partnership with New York State department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    Friday, November 1, 4:00pm

    Waterloo (LIVESTREAM ONLY)

    Saturday, November 2, 4:00pm

    Montezuma Audubon Center at Montezuma Wetlands Complex, Savannah, NY – In partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center