NYS Music 2024

Category: NYC Metro

  • Party Boys: The Memoir of the Band of Brothers Who Built Webster Hall

    Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Band, The Guess Who, Leonard Cohen, and Alanis Morissette. Rush, Justin Bieber, Drake, and The Weeknd. Where would the world of rock and pop be without the contributions of these great artists?

    Webster Hall

    Many music lovers don’t realize that the stars above have Canadian roots.  And even fewer realize that one of New York City’s most popular and longest-running music venues, Webster Hall, was also the brainchild of folks from up North, the Ballinger Brothers. The story of how they rose from a hardscrabble youth on a remote farm in Ontario to reign supreme in the NYC nightlife scene for a quarter of a century is the subject of Party Boys, a rollercoaster ride of a memoir by Lon Ballinger.

    Lon Ballinger and his brothers Steve, Peter, and Buster created not only Webster Hall but a legion of Canadian venues where over 40 million people danced, laughed, listened to great music, and, in many cases, connected with the loves of their lives.

    The Ballinger Brothers grew up poor on a family farm with a beloved but overbearing mother and an alcoholic father, a psychologically damaged war veteran who would (figuratively) head out for a packet of cigarettes and never return.  Their nightclub empire, which first revolutionized the industry in Canada and then NYC, would spring from Lon’s impulse buy of a pizza oven and  open his town’s first pizza parlor in October 1973. As with many of their ventures, they would turn it into a success, cash out, and move on to another enterprise. After the pizzeria came a laundromat, which financed their first foray into nightlife. 

    Webster Hall

    Lon and his brother’s inspiration to get into the disco biz came from two unlikely sources.  The first was the classic television show, I Love Lucy, and its portrayal of the nightclub run by Lucy’s bandleader husband, Ricky Ricardo.  The second is when they detoured from a planned road trip to Mexico to New Orleans (to drop off a hitchhiker they picked up who was carting 400 hits of purple microdot acid to Mardi Gras) and then San Padre Island, where they saw their first big-time disco.

    With monies from the sale of their laundromat and Lon’s earnings from his sideline in real estate, the brothers opened their first club, Ballinger’s Danceteria, a cavernous two-level musical funhouse in Cambridge, Ontario on Halloween 1979.  Here they would learn the hard lessons about what made a club prosper: booking great acts like James Brown, The Band and homegrown stars-to-be like Brian Adams and Loverboy; the value of having professional security and the golden rule of nightlife  — treat the ladies right and the men will follow. 

    Ballinger’s would be one of the first clubs to feature giant video screens, leading to the creation of their own weekly TV series, Canamerica Dance.  Ultimately, they would depart Ontario for the big city, Toronto, creating the country’s largest club, the 200,000 square foot Big Bop in 1986, followed by smaller satellites, The Boom Boom Room and Rockit.  They also had an outlandish idea that never got off the ground due to the recession of the late ‘80s, The Judicial Museum of Canada. The latter was slated to be housed in a circa-1850 courthouse, Canada’s oldest, serving as a combination dance and music venue with a museum dedicated to the history of the country’s legal system and crimes.

    Lon, what the hell were you and your brothers smoking?

    The big-dreaming Ballinger Brothers were seriously over-leveraged when the financial crisis hit, with $5 million in renovation and real estate loans. When they realized there was no way to rescue their Canadian club empire, they turned their sites on New York, taking over the site of The Ritz, which, at that time, was a shell of its former self, much like the city itself.

    The brothers’ experiences operating Webster Hall are the heart of the memoir. It would take three years of negotiations with the community board, liquor commission, and their landlord before they had approval to open the four-level nightspot in October 1992. Ballinger’s book includes plenty of juicy tales of navigating a plethora of dicey issues with the Mob, the Hell’s Angels, crooked politicos, and, of course, troublesome VIP guests (I’m talkin’ to you Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Hillary Clinton, Bobby Flay and Rudy Giuliani!).  Lon also proudly proclaims Webster Hall’s role as an early promoter of hip-hop and EDM culture by giving gigs to aspiring stars and via their venture, Webster Hall Records, which notched 30 chart-topping dance releases. There are also rosy memories of artists like Lady Gaga, Moby, and Ed Sheeran, who honed their craft in early career performances on the venue’s multiple stages. Lon also discusses their early embrace of the digital realm. Webster Hall pioneered online ticket sales and what may have had the first website ever created for a nightclub. He also humorously relates how the site’s domain was hijacked and later reclaimed after a legal battle with a porn purveyor.

    Some of the book’s best parts are Lon’s memories of fantastic events during the brothers’ 25-year run at Webster Hall.  Prince is called “the greatest talent ever to grace our stage” thanks to a 2005 performance with a 35-piece orchestra, a milestone witnessed by an invite-only audience of 350. Also fondly remembered are Madonna’s Pajama Party for the release of Bedtime Stories in 1995, Bill Clinton’s Presidential Announcement Party in 1996 (where the Commander-in-Chief “made eyes” at one of his brother’s wives), and Paul Simon’s live recording in 2011, where another genius joined him, David Byrne. From 1992 – 2017, Webster Hall hosted nearly 30 million people and showcased 10,000 musical acts.

    Ballinger’s book also includes many tales of the cut-throat side of the Big Apple’s nightclub business, namely their longtime battles with another promoter and sometimes partner, Bowery Presents. In 2016, the Ballinger Brothers agreed to sell the venue to a Russian oligarch and entertainment mogul, Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center, for $45 million. Like many stories and experiences here, that would be an event full of surprises and drama.  The Ballingers would hand over the keys to their kingdom in the wee hours of August 17, 2017, after a final wild night featuring a performance by Skrillex, an EDM artist whose fame they helped foster.

    Lon’s book concludes with a valuable bonus section: “Lon’s Practical Advice for Running the Best Business in Your World.”  Here, he provides 30 pages of his hard-earned wisdom on what it takes to succeed in any business – from building good relationships with your community, customers, and partners to advice on branding, marketing, insurance, taxes, and lawyers (be wary of the latter). 

    After selling Webster Hall, Lon Ballinger and his wife moved to the Hudson Valley, where they bought and refurbished The Stewart House in Athens, a breathtaking boutique hotel on the Hudson River. They now operate this hospitality gem, hosting their friends and guests at the beautiful and historical 1883 Stewart House Hotel.

    Bio: Sal Cataldi is a musician, writer and former entertainment publicist living in the Hudson Valley and NYC. He is leader of the band Spaghetti Eastern Music and member of the ensembles Guitars A Go Go, Vapor Vespers and spaceheater. He is also the host of “Reading In Funktamental” on WGXC 90.7 FM/Wave Farm, a monthly/Apple Podcast show where he speaks to the authors of the books on music he reviews here at NYSMusic.com

  • David Byrne Hosts “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things”

    Reasons to be Cheerful, David Byrne’s solutions-based non-profit magazine, turned five with Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things, a variety show in NYC at Town Hall on Oct 9.

    Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things
    Photo Credit: Emilio Herce

    In celebration of the fifth anniversary of David Byrne’s Reasons to be Cheerful, the multi-disciplinary artist hosted “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things,” a variety show at The Town Hall. The night focused on the amazingness of humans and the beautiful ways humans connect with each other.

    Emceed by David Byrne, “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things” debuted a new song by Byrne and featured a diverse lineup of performances that stayed true to what a variety show in essence is. The event staged acts such as, singer-songwriter Thao (Nguyen), comedian Fred Armisen, NYC’s non-male Brazilian-American style drumline Fogo Azul, comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti, the spicy puppet cabaret of Epidermis Circus, Belgian-Egyptian musician Tamino, performance artist Ellie Steingraeber, and female-led band Brass Queens. DJenny Koons (Oedipus Deaf West, Blue Man Group National Tour) directed, Stephanie Johnson produced and Emily Simoness (Founding Executive Director SPACE on Ryder Farm) executive produced. 

    “Variety shows were a big deal when I was young,” says Byrne. “It’s a format you don’t see as much of these days. So we thought, why not bring it back? We looked for acts that could capture that sense of zany, anything-could-happen artistry. Reasons to be Cheerful inspires people by unearthing unexpected gems, and this show will embody that same spirit of gleeful surprise.”

    Reasons to Be Cheerful is an online magazine that inspires curiosity about how the world can be better and asks how we can be part of that change. Launched in 2019, Reasons to be Cheerful publishes award-winning journalism about solutions and progress for over one million readers. They have hosted sold-out live events across the country.

    Learn more here.

  • Phantogram Announces 2025 Headline Tour “Running Through Colors” with Stop at Brooklyn Paramount

    Electro-rock duo Phantogram have announced their 2025 headline tour of North America which begins on January 15. The tour begins in Las Vegas, NV and wraps up on February 28 in Hollywood, CA.

    Lauded as an experimental and alternative band and one that’s never been married to a particular genre, Phantogram have continued to alter soundscapes for almost a decade by consistently challenging sound with their signature blend of hard-hitting beats, guitar driven dark psychedelia and electronic pop.  The “Running Through Colors Tour” stops at Brooklyn Paramount in NYC on February 6.

    The band recently released their fifth album, Memory Of A Day via Neon Gold Records. The new album captures that disorienting sense of time travel sparked by a color or song that recalls the most joyful and tragic moments in your life. Alongside the LP, the duo – Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter – have shared their latest single, the driving, and wistful burst of color, “Attaway.”

    Live performances from Phantogram weave together the band’s signature mix of hazy synths, hypnotic guitars, beat-crushing drum machines and mesmerizing vocals. For the band, writing new music and performing it in front of audiences around the world is their most exciting experience creating together since their early days as a group.

    PHANTOGRAM TOUR DATES

    1/15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV

    1/16 – House of Blues Anaheim – Anaheim, CA

    1/17 – SOMA – San Diego, CA

    1/19 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ

    1/22 – House of Blues Dallas – Dallas, TX

    1/24 – ACL Live at The Moody Theater – Austin, TX

    1/25 – House of Blues – Houston, TX

    1/27 – House of Blues – New Orleans – New Orleans, LA

    1/28 – The Hall – Little Rock, AR

    1/29 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

    1/31 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

    2/03 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC

    2/04 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD

    2/06 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY

    2/08 – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA

    2/10 – House of Blues Boston – Boston, MA

    2/12 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON

    2/13 – Saint Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI

    2/14 – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL

    2/15 – The Fillmore Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN

    2/18 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO

    2/19 – The Union – Salt Lake City, UT

    2/21 – Moore Theatre – Seattle, WA

    2/22 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC

    2/24 – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR

    2/26 – The Masonic – San Francisco, CA

    2/28 – Hollywood Palladium – Hollywood, CA

    For more information on Phantogram and their upcoming 2025 “Running Through Colors Tour,” click here.

  • Joe Bouchard of Blue Öyster Cult, talks time with the band, birthday show and new solo material

    Joe Bouchard, the original bassist for the legendary Blue Öyster Cult, plays on all their most famous songs like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You.” Yet Bouchard has not been a member of BOC since 1986.

    bouchard

    After Bouchard left the band, Metallica included one of their songs, “Astronomy,” from Blue Öyster Cult’s 1974 record, Secret Treaties, was co-written by Bouchard on their Garage Inc. record. He then formed a solo band and another group called Blue Coupe, featuring his brother Albert and Dennis Dunaway – formerly the bassist for Alice Cooper.

    Now, in honor of his 76th birthday, Bouchard is returning to Iridium in New York City with his new solo group on Nov. 9. Joining Bouchard in his band – at the home where Les Paul made famous – is Mickey Curry on drums, Joan Levy Hepburn on rhythm and lead guitar and vocals and Bobby MacDougall on bass and vocals.

    Ahead of Joe Bouchard’s birthday show, he joined NYS Music’s Michael Singer to discuss his time in Blue Öyster Cult, his new band and Metallica covering his music. Watch the interview below.

    Tickets for the show at The Iridium in New York City can be found here

  • Night Tales To Headline Halloweekend Show At The Surrogate’s Courthouse

    Australian Indie-Electronic duo Night Tales have been announced as the headliner of New York City landmark The Surrogate’s Courthouse’s Halloweekend themed show.

    The dynamic electronic-live duo Night Tales has been on a powerful streak of accomplishments this year, including a debut at Coachella, a nomination for EDMA’s ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ award, and a premier slot at EDC Mexico. 

    Composed of Aaron Bannie and Kamaliza Salamba, the pair has been a driving force in the progressive dance music scene with their signature blends of sounds floating over deep house anthems and dynamic live-electronic performances.

    With cross-cultural ambitions and no signs of stopping, Night Tales has amassed over 50 million streams across all platforms so far with fans across the globe connecting over a shared love for the duo’s bridging of urban culture and electronic music.

    Fans of Night Tales’ dynamic blend have the chance to experience a once in a lifetime set at The Surrogate’s Courthouse on October 26, as the duo has just been announced as the headliners for the venue’s Halloween themed event. With supporting DJ sets from rising artists like Alta Sounds and contributions for the evening’s creation being made by Hampton Water and recognized New York City event brand Project 91, it’s a show not to be missed. 

    “We are beyond excited to bring a high energy DJ set that blends live vocals to NYC. This set will include reimagined versions of our original music, along with tasteful mash-ups and remixes of some amazing new and old classics, like our latest recreation of Miguel’s R&B hit, ‘Sure Thing’. ”

    – Night Tales

    Tickets for the 21+ evening are available now. All tickets include admission to the show and access to an open bar from 9:00-10:00 PM- and, most importantly, all attendees are expected to match the night’s Halloweekend atmosphere and dress up in costume. For more information and ticket purchasing, please visit the event page here.

    In addition to being an exciting Halloween-themed celebration, October 26 marks the New York City date of Night Tales’ 2024 Club Tour. For further information on the duo’s adventure across the country, visit their website here.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    October 26: 31 Chambers Surrogate’s Court – New York City, NY

    November 1: Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO

    November 2: Audio SF – San Francisco, CA

    November 8: Summit Austin – Austin, TX

    November 9: NOTO Houston – Houston, TX

    December 14: Bloom Nightclub – San Diego, CA

  • Works & Process Presents Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi

    Works & Process has announced a production of Peter & the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev in direct collaboration with and featuring Isaac Mizrahi among other seasoned creatives at the Guggenheim.

    A non-profit without walls, Works & Process promotes performing artists and their creative endeavors from studio to stage. Through longitudinal and fully funded creative residencies and commissioning support, Works & Process platforms creators from the world’s largest organizations and amplifies under-recognized performing arts cultures. 

    Presenting at the Guggenheim Museum, Manhattan West, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts with the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, Works & Process presents a variety of year round programs including their iconic summer dance programs with City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage and NYC Parks, all while their LaunchPAD program offers industry-leading residencies and amenities for rising creatives.

    Veteran of practically every aspect of the entertainment industry, Isaac Mizrahi has worked as a performer, host, writer, designer, and producer for over 30 years. Most recently seen as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago and widely recognized for his annual residency at Café Carlyle in New York City among his archive of other iconic venues throughout the state and beyond, it’s no wonder why he’s been hailed as the pioneer of  “a genre that fuses performance art, music, and stand-up comedy”- as put by The New York Times.

    In addition to live performance, Mizrahi can be recognized through his television and film works including the Sundance Film Festival award-winning documentary Unzipped  that followed the making of his Fall 1994 collection, his seven-year run as the host of his own talk show appropriately titled The Isaac Mizrahi Show, and his position as judge for all seven seasons of Project Runway: All-Stars.

    The skill of Mizrahi, the mission of Works & Progress, and many other creatives’ efforts will be meeting in their production of Peter & the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev on December 6 and 7. Not only has Mizrahi taken on the mantle of director for the production, the cast will be fully costumed in his designs and his voice will grace the stage as the show’s narrator. 

    Mizrahi is in great company- Peter & the Wolf  is to feature the sound of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect conducted by Michael P. Atkinson and the moves of recognized choreographer John Heginbotham. 

    Photo: Shervin Lainez

    New York City based composer, arranger, conductor, and instrumentalist Michael P. Atkinson is most recognized for his collaborations with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck, William Kentridge, New York Philharmonic, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, New York Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, International Contemporary Ensemble, BalletCollective, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the list goes on. 

    An Associate Conductor of The Knights and guest conductor of the New York City Ballet, the Orlando Philharmonic, and the world premiere of seven ballets- including two of Justin Peck’s presented at Works & Process- it’s an understatement to say it’s exciting to see his skill lent to the production.

    Graduate of The Juilliard School for dance, John Heginbotham is a powerhouse of a choreographer. Among countless other works, Heginbotham has choreographed Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy Season 3- which earned him a 2023 World Choreography Award nomination, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning revival of Oklahoma!, and has created works for ballet and opera companies including The Washington Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, BalletX, Dutch National Opera, LA Opera, and San Francisco Opera.

    In addition to these accomplishments, Heginbotham has collaborated with the likes of Maira Kalman, Maile Okamura, Colin Jacobsen, Tyondai Braxton, Joshua Bell, Ethan Iverson, Brooklyn Rider, The Knights, Alarm Will Sound, and the production’s very own Isaac Mizrahi. He also lends his skills to Dance Heginbotham as Artistic Director, the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble as Director and faculty to the school, and the founding teacher of Dance for PD.

    Each iconic figure in this collaboration guarantees a culminating unforgettable thirty minute production of Peter & the Wolf for the young and young at heart in the iconic Guggenheim Museum. With four shows over the course of December 6 and 7, the heartwarming show is not one to be missed.

     No matter how big or small, all audience members will require a ticket- which are available now. Starting at $20, tickets can be purchased on the Works & Process website here.

  • BRIC Announces Afrofuturistic Halloween Event ‘Disturbia’ as Part of BRIC House Party Series

    BRIC, the Brooklyn-based leading arts and media institution announces the next event in the BRIC House Parties series – Disturbia.

    The October 26 Halloween event at BRIC House in Brooklyn is a project in collaboration with The Culture LP. Disturbia is an eerie Afrofuturistic Halloween experience hosted by multi-talented DJs Quiana Parks, Vashtie, 9am and Eden. This one-of-a-kind Halloween party promises to transport guests into an Afrofuturistic realm with immersive visuals, haunting soundscapes, and pulsing beats.

    BRIC House Party is a new series at BRIC House in Downtown Brooklyn that lets DJs take center stage in their own creative playground. It’s not just a gig; it’s a full takeover. DJs curate the vibe, from the layout and visuals to the crowd size, for a dynamic, 360-degree experience that fosters a tight-knit connection between them and the audience.

    BRIC House Party builds on BRIC’s longstanding commitment to empowering the communities of Brooklyn. By handing the reins to local DJs, we create a platform for diverse voices and artistic visions, ensuring everyone has a chance to be seen and heard. This event sells tickets ranging from standard to VIP and is mandatorily 21+.

    Disturbia takes place at 9:00pm at 647 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY. Standard tickets are being sold online for $27 while VIP tickets are $85. Come in your best futuristic attire and let the beats and visuals guide you through this dark, mystical voyage into the unknown. Disturbia is not just a Halloween event—it’s an odyssey into a haunted futurescape.

    “Disturbia is my way of bringing together everything I love- art, music, and that eerie magic only Halloween can create. With New York’s best DJs and an art and sound exhibition that speaks to the soul, we’re crafting an unforgettable experience that invites everyone to step into the unexpected”

    DJ Quiana Parks

    For more information on BRIC House’s Disturbia event and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Stevie Wonder at MSG: A Night of Music and Hope

    On October 10, Madison Square Garden hosted an unforgettable evening with the legendary Stevie Wonder, as part of his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour. The concert not only celebrated Wonder’s timeless music but also delivered a powerful message of hope and unity, ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

    The tour takes its name from Wonder’s latest single, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” released shortly after his performance at the Democratic National Convention in August. Speaking to the audience, Wonder explained the inspiration behind the song. “I wrote the song because in the air I could feel the hearts being broken by negativity, by hatred, by racism, by bulls—t,” he said. Before diving into the music, he reminded the audience of the importance of leadership, saying, “To have been given the gift of being a leader means that the Most High has given you the responsibility of living in the light of truth.”

    After this heartfelt message, Wonder quickly added with a smile, “But I’m not here to preach,” before sitting at his piano to perform “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” captivating the audience with both his message and his music.

    From there, Stevie Wonder took fans on a journey through his five-decade-long career, filled with a dazzling mix of hits and deep cuts. Accompanied by a string section, brass section, background vocalists, dancers, and various other musicians, he performed songs that ranged from the smooth grooves of “As If You Read My Mind” and “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” from his Hotter Than July album, to the urgent funk of “Higher Ground,” a track that feels as relevant today as it did 51 years ago.

    Throughout the evening, Wonder kept the crowd energized with a mix of his most beloved classics. Highlights included “My Cherie Amour,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” “For Once in My Life,” and the soulful ballad “Overjoyed.”

    Halfway through the show, Stevie Wonder introduced rising star Sheléa, who took center stage for a breathtaking performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me” and “Something’s Coming.” The collaboration continued when Wonder returned to the stage, and together they performed feel-good hits like “It’s All Right” and “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing,” their voices blending seamlessly.

    Wonder then treated the audience to more timeless hits, including “Living for the City,” the upbeat and joyous “Sir Duke,” and the celebratory “Isn’t She Lovely.”

    Fittingly, he ended the night with the final two tracks from his iconic Songs in the Key of Life album: “As” and “Another Star.” The entire arena sang along, closing the show on a high note of unity and optimism.

    Setlist: Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart, As If You Read My Mind, Master Blaster (Jammin’), Higher Ground, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, For Once in My Life, Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours, My Cherie Amour, Chapel of Love, Overjoyed, Until You Come Back to Me, Somethings Coming, Contusion, It’s All Right, Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing, All I Do, Village Ghetto Land, Living for the City, Sir Duke, I Wish, Isn’t She Lovely, Just the Way You Are, Send One Your Love, Do I Do, I Just Called to Say I Love You, Superstition, As, Another Star

  • Stranger Cat Reclaims Herself With New Single “Hollow Heartbreak”

    Contemporary pop visionary and musician Stranger Cat has released the second pre-release single off of her upcoming sophomore album, “Hollow Heartbreak”.

    With her hands on every step of the creative process, New York City based Stranger Cat is a vocalist, producer, composer, light artist, video maker, DJ, and dancer- creativity is her calling, and each contemporary pop release of hers encompasses Cat’s inner mind, bringing it into the physical for others to appreciate and connect to.

    Cat’s self-made range of creative skills have earned her merits such as the New York Foundation of the Arts Women’s Grant in 2020 and the NYFA/NYC City Corps Grant in 2021, in addition to a performance spot at the iii Points festival in Miami in 2023 and installations of her self-programmed light sculptures at Art Basel Miami events from 2021-2023.

    Stranger Cat’s skills have also made their way into collaborations with musical luminaries like Sufjan Stevens, Sharon Van Etten, Son Lux, Lucius, and the Shins on Saturday Night Live, among many others.

    Following her debut album In the Wilderness, Cat’s sophomore album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces gives the listener permission to feel and express every emotion, no matter how embarrassing or big- “the kind of dance you do alone when no one is looking.” 

    This album in particular encapsulates several experiences of high emotions, as the tracks were produced from bed while Cat recovered from a life-threatening accident that kept her completely immobilized for five months, doctors predicting that she would not be able to dance again. As Cat healed physically and emotionally, Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces was brought into fruition, piece by piece. 

    Despite predictions of the worst, Cat returned to dancing and left all of her pain, heartbreak, and hope in ten tracks that would become her upcoming album. Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces may have been largely a tool for healing and an emotional outlet for herself in a moment of great emotional stress, but it has become larger than just the singular- the project channels these emotions and connects with the listener, allowing them to reflect and heal as well.

    “Hollow Heartbreak” allowed Cat to process the ache of loss, opening the track and the production process with the idea of angels weeping in mind. Throughout the iterations of vocals and audio mixing, the music became cleansing- it enabled emotional realization and reflection in a way other things simply couldn’t. “By the end of building the track I’d reached a total 180,” Cat admits- “through creating an 808s and synths dance party, letting it all go.”

    A synth-heavy anthemic dance track, “Hollow Heartbreak” invites the listener along the journey to rediscovering the relief and joy at the end of the grieving process when coping with a breakup. A testament to Cat’s personal journey and desire to bring listeners the same emotional catharsis, “Hollow Heartbreak” bares emotions raw and dances without care.

    Stranger Cat will be performing alongside Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds in New York City and Brooklyn for two nights at the end of October. Night one will be held at the Francis Kite Club as a part of the Artists For Ceasefire + Special Guests event on October 26, and night two will be held on October 27 at the Agrarian Loft in Brooklyn.

    To learn more about Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces, Stranger Cat’s other projects, and keep up with her latest releases, you can visit her website here.

  • Bands Do BK Presents The Music Matters NYC VHS Compilation

    Brooklyn based project Bands Do BK has announced the official VHS compilation release of live performances from a 3-day, 15-band event held at Arlene’s Grocery earlier this May.

    Born out of a desire to bring musicians to fans and vice versa throughout Brooklyn and beyond, Bands do BK is a project designed to offer readers uncut perspectives of the borough from their favorite local artists and musicians. From personable conversation, spotlights on new releases, and events hosted for fans and creators alike, Bands do BK avoids pomp and pretense in favor of genuine content curated for music lovers and makers, by music lovers and makers.

    Back in May of this year, Bands do BK put on a powerful three-day event at the iconic Arlene’s Grocery comprised of 15 emerging bands of the local indie scene. Capturing the liveliness of the tightly knit NYC music scene throughout every set while in a historically significant area that has consistently provided a space for creatives and musicians alike, the event was a major hit. 

    Now, in an exciting one-of-a-kind VHS compilation, the project and its impactful message have been further immortalized. Spearheaded by Executive Producer Marc Seligman and Production Coordinator (and Bands do BK Curator) Sam Sumpter, The Music Matters NYC is a 67 minute testament to the immortality of music in New York City and the newest voices taking that charge.

    Artists featured in the compilation correspond with the original performance dates- day one’s Big Girl, Tilden, A Very Special Episode, Tetchy, and TVOD are showcased alongside day two’s O. Wake, NEVVA, Two-Man Giant Squid, Mary Shelley, and day three’s AVATAREDEN, Jelly Kelly, Go Home, Night Spins, and SKORTS.

    Largely inspired by the authentic work of these artists and a vision of capturing the essence of their performances in a genuine way, a simple documentary-style idea quickly developed into the nostalgic experience that is a VHS release- a perfect call back to analog recordings that pays homage to the timelessness of New York City’s indie music scene alongside a uniquely nostalgic viewer experience.

    “My hope is that this doc serves as a window into our community—what’s happening in venues, parks, bars, backyards and basements across the city on any given day or night. I hope it inspires you to fall in love with these artists like I have and to buy music and merch, go to local shows and support this sweet, sweet scene that we, as New Yorkers, are unbelievably lucky to have access to. NYC isn’t even close to dead, and I’m beyond stoked to showcase some of the incredible bands who are out there proving it.” 

    – Sam Sumpter, Bands do BK Curator

    The event’s performances were subsequently recorded by a top-tier crew including Brad Wagner and Juan Soria on audio and video production assisted by Charlie Peterson, Jeff Schaer-Moses on photography, and Jason Toledo on video editing in addition to being a co-producer. 

    To be released on Friday November 1, the official The Music Matters NYC VHS compilation will be available through Bands do BK, Arlene’s Grocery, Village Revival Records, and all of the bands featured at their shows. 

    In addition, Bands do BK has announced an exciting upcoming watch party at the very same Arlene’s Grocery. Bringing together fans, friends, and artists in a larger community of creativity and appreciation for live performance, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to relive the magic in the same room where it was made is not to be missed. 

    No official date for the watch party has been announced yet, so to keep up to date on the latest updates as well as all of Bands do BK’s endeavors, visit their website here.