NYS Music 2024

Category: NYC Metro

  • Hopeless Records Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary

    Hopeless Records will be onsite at A2IM Indie Week – June 10 to June 13 – with their 30th Anniversary Museum Exhibit. The Exhibit will debut in New York City and travel nationwide, making stops in Cleveland, OH, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Las Vegas, NV, at the Punk Rock Museum. The Museum will feature over 1,000 artifacts, including guitars, vintage merch, and original never seen before photos of the recording process.

    Hopeless Records also announced a year of events celebrating the anniversary, releasing a zine and documentary chronicling the 30 years. Hopeless will also release a compilation of their current artist roster and limited edition vinyl re-releases.

    Founded in 1993, Hopeless Records produced pop punk and ska albums emblematic of the ’90s. The label evolved with mainstream tastes, broadening their horizons to a wide variety of acts. Two of their greatest success stories, All Time Low and Avenged Sevenfold joined the label early in their careers, and have accumulated a number of gold and platinum records. Recently, Hopeless has continued to adapt through changing times, signing Gen-Z acts like Destroy Boys, Waterparks, and Scene Queen. Their flexibility has made Hopeless one of the greatest independent labels, selling over 15 million records.

    Additionally, Louis Posen, Hopeless Records’ founder, will be honored at A2IM’s Libera Awards. Posen will receive the Lifetime Achievement award for his leadership, philanthropy, and contributions to independent music. Hopeless Records is nominated for record label of the year and Best Punk Record for Neck Deep’s self titled album.

    A2IM is a not-for-profit dedicated to advocating for the independent music sector. Membership includes over 600 independently owned music labels, which Billboard Magazine identified as the largest music sector with roughly 37% of recorded music sales.

    The Indie Week Conference will be from June 10 to June 13 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Times Square. Badges are available at the following link. An interview with Louis Posen is also available below.

  • The Red Clay Strays Add Brooklyn Show to Nationwide Tour

    Following the release of their new single, music video, and a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Red Clay Strays have announced additional dates to their 2024 nationwide headline tour, including a show at the Brooklyn Paramount on October 1. The tour commemorates the release of their highly anticipated second album, Made by These Moments, which will be available on July 26, 2024.

    Formed in 2016 in Mobile, Alabama, The Red Clay Strays are Brandon Coleman (lead vocals, guitar), Drew Nix (electric guitar, vocals, harmonica), Zach Rishel(electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass), and John Hall (drums). Their latest single, “Wondering Why,” has pushed the band into the spotlight, spending six consecutive weeks at #1 on the Americana Singles chart.

    The single has received widespread critical acclaim and has even brought the band to be nominated for Emerging Act of the Year at the 2024 Americana Music Awards. Regarding the song, Billboard praises the band saying, “Lead singer Coleman’s gruff, impassioned vocal shines here as always, bolstered by the group’s exemplary musicianship.”

    Since their inception, The Red Clay Strays have reached innumerable success not only on the charts but with their tours as well. This year, the band made their Grand Ole Opry debut and toured across the U.S. Past shows include performing alongside country and Americana music’s biggest names, such as Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Elle King, and Old Crow Medicine Show. Their current tour features special guests such as The Rolling Stones, Carrie Underwood, and Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge.

    Tickets will be available on May 31, 2024, at 10 am EST. For more information and tickets, fans can visit here.

    THE RED CLAY STRAYS CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

    May 25—Allston, MA—Boston Calling Festival

    May 30—Foxborough, MA—Gillette Stadium

    June 2—Lexington, KY—Railbird Festival

    June 7—Murphysboro, IL—Shawnee Cave Revival

    June 8—Pineville, KY—Laurel Cove Music Festival

    June 21—Pelham, TN—The Caverns

    June 22—Pelham, TN—The Caverns

    June 23—Pelham, TN—The Caverns

    June 27—Fort Worth, TX—Billy Bob’s

    June 28—San Antonio, TX—Boeing Center at Tech Port

    June 29—Lubbock, TX—Cotton Fest

    July 10—Columbus, OH—The Bluestone

    July 11—Columbus, OH—The Bluestone

    July 12—Chicago, IL—Windy City Smokeout 2024

    July 13—Grand Rapids, MI—The Intersection

    July 20—Salt Lake City, UT—The Complex

    July 21—Redmond, OR—FairWell Festival

    July 24—Airway Heights, WA—Spokane Live

    July 25—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom

    July 26—Seattle, WA—The Showbox

    July 27—Rexford, MT—Abayance Bay Marina

    August 2—Minneapolis, MN—Basilica Block Party

    August 3—St. Charles, IA—Hinterland

    August 9—Elkhorn, NE— The Club at Indian Creek

    August 10—Oshkosh, WI—Xroads41 2024

    August 31—Weston, CO—Monument Lake Resort

    September 4—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium

    September 5—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium

    September 6—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium

    September 12—Indianapolis, IN—Murat Theatre

    September 13—Bristol, TN—Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

    September 14—Birmingham, AL—Avondale Brewing Company

    September 15—Pryor, OK—Born & Raised Festival

    September 18—Silver Spring, MD—The Fillmore

    September 19—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE

    September 20—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond

    October 1—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Paramount

    October 3—Philadelphia, PA—The Fillmore

    October 4—Ocean City, MD—Country Calling

    October 5—Boston, MA—Roadrunner

    October 10—New Orleans, LA—The Fillmore

    October 11—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Festival

    October 12—Oklahoma City, OK—The Criterion

    October 16—Atlanta, GA—Coca-Cola Roxy

    October 18—Simpsonville, SC—Greenville Country Music Fest

    October 31—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom

    November 8—Los Angeles, CA—The Wiltern

    November 9—San Diego, CA—SOMA

    November 10—Anaheim, CA—House of Blues

  • Queens Rising Announces Lineup for Queens Scene Performance Series

    Queens Rising is back for its third year of the Multidisciplinary Arts Festival with the Queens Scene series starting Saturday, June 1st.

    Queens Scene

    Queens Rising is a collective celebration honoring the culture and diversity of the borough. Their mission is to spread awareness of Queens’ rich history in the arts and contributions to New York City art. They work with many organizations and establishments to bring these celebrations to life. Queens Scene is one of the many programs they offer to exemplify pride for their community.

    Additionally, the venues taking part in the festival have chosen artists all of whom they feel represent the creative and cultural significance of Queens. Each performer was chosen from an open call in the spring and will have the opportunity to grow their platforms.

    Sponsors for the event include Northwell Health, Resorts World NYC, Howard Gilman Foundation, and the Kupferberg Center for the Arts.

    Queens Scene 2024 Performances

    June 1 at Flushing Town Hall, 7 PM– Sin Fronteras World Jazz Quintet, The Scooches, and Mr. Pablo

    June 14 (7 PM); June 15 (6 PM); June 16 (4 PM), at Terraza 7– Guachinangos, Samuel Torres: Alegria, and Terraza Big Band

    June 19 (Juneteenth) reception at 7:30 PM, showtime at 8 PM, at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning– JRose, Jerome Heka, Keys Will, Unique on Purpose, Divine Wordsmith

    June 29, 1:30 PM at Queens Botanical Garden– Gina D’Soto, Jenna Vox, and Queens Symphony Orchestra

    Additional Events

    June 6 at 6 PM at Culturelab LIC – Visual Art Exhibition Opening “Say It Loud: Unsung Heroes”

    June 8 at 4 PM at Flushing Meadows Corona Park– Queens Night Market

    JCAL has participated in Queens Rising since its founding, and watching the growth of this remarkable initiative has inspired our dedication to performing arts, visual arts, and arts education here in “the world’s borough.” To see Queens Rising now supporting borough-based artists—it’s a tangible recognition of how far and how fast Queens has really risen, and of our extraordinary potential to draw arts patrons from every corner of our city.

    Leonard Jacobs, Executive Director

    For more information on Queens Rising and a full schedule of events, please visit queensrising.nyc

  • The Town Hall Announces the Peoples’ Symphony Concerts

    The Town Hall, located in the Theater District in Manhattan, announced the 125th season of Peoples’ Symphony Concerts, including performances by the Juilliard String Quartet, The Knights, Paul Lewis, among others. Additionally, Allison Loggins-Hull and David Lang will premiere new works.

    On Sunday, May 19, Frank Salomon will be presented with the Friend of the Arts Award in recognition of his contributions to New York Arts. Salomon served as director of Alexander Schneider’s New School Concert Series for fifty years. His love for classical music began in childhood, when his family subscribed to the Chamber Music series at the Town Hall.

    As an adult, Salomon worked as the manager of the Peoples’ Symphony Concerts for over 50 years. Richard Goode, a performer with PSC, said of Salomon, “his feeling for the human values inherent in great art, continue to find an ideal environment in the warmth and surprising intimacy of The Town Hall”.

    The Peoples’ Symphony concerts have offered New Yorkers affordable access to classical music since 1900. The Symphony offers exposure to established masters and promising young artists. At under $60 per concert season ($10 per concert), Peoples’ Symphony Concerts are an excellent option for affordable live music. Peoples’ Symphony also offers concerts in the Washington Irving Campus one block from Union Square.

    The Salomon Series will showcase the beauty of chamber music while paying tribute to Frank Salomon. Performances will take place from October 2024 to March 2025. Paul Lewis will perform the Complete Schubert Piano Sonata on October 27. The Knights Orchestra will be performing Mozart, along with a new composition by Allison Loggins-Hull on December 8. The Town Hall will ring in 2025 with the performance of a mystery pianist on January 26. February 2, Raphaël Feuillâtre will make his NYC debut with performances of Bach and his contemporaries. Baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist Shai Wosner will pay tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau on February 16. Finally, on March 30, the Juilliard String Quartet will make their PSC debut.

    Tickets are available at the following link.

  • ‘Louis in London’ Live Album to Release July 12

    Verve Records has announced the release of Louis in London, Louis Armstrong’s last great live performance on July 12. The album will be released on digital, CD, and exclusive black-and-blue vinyl.

    Louis in London releases July 12, 2024

    Anyone who has listened to jazz is sure to recognize the music of Louis Armstrong. Throughout his five decade career, he revolutionized jazz trumpet and singing, achieving critical and commercial success never seen before. While born in New Orleans, Armstrong settled in Queens, NY, where he worked for much of his life. His work altered jazz, placing emphasis on improvised solos, crafting the jazz we know today. Off of the success of hits like “Hello Dolly” and “What a Wonderful World,” Armstrong and his All-star Band played across the world.

    In 1968, they traveled to London to play the BBC Show of the Week. The performance was one “full of vitality and joy,” with some of Armstrong’s most inspired singing and trumpeting. Armstrong realized the impact of this recording, choosing to share it with his close friends more than any of his other works. Additionally, Armstrong hoped that the world could enjoy the recording, affixing a note that read “for the fans” on the tape box after receiving it. Now over five decades later, the recording is being released to the public, just as Armstrong hoped. 

    “Armstrong once claimed he was here ‘in the cause of happiness.’ All these decades later, albums like LOUIS IN LONDON continue his life’s mission at a time when we still need to be reminded that maybe it still is a wonderful world and maybe we’ll never walk alone after all.”

    -Ricky Riccardi

    The Album features eleven of the greatest songs recorded by Armstrong and The All Stars. Additionally, the release will feature extensive liner notes from Ricky Riccardi, an Armstrong biographer and director of research collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. 

    To preorder the album, follow the link here. 

    Louis in London Tracklist:

    When It’s Sleepy Time Down South

    (Back Home Again) In Indiana

    A Kiss To Build a Dream On

    Hello, Dolly!

    Mame

    You’ll Never Walk Alone

    Ole Miss

    Blueberry Hill

    Mack The Knife

    Rockin’ Chair

    The Bare Necessities

    What a Wonderful World

    When The Saints Go Marching In

    Louis Armstrong: trumpet, vocals

    The All Stars:

    Tyree Glenn: trombone | Joe Muranyi: clarinet

    Marty Napoleon: piano | Buddy Catlett: bass

    Danny Barcelona: drums

  • Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB close out three nights at Brooklyn Steel

    On Thursday, May 23rd, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB concluded their tour with a 3 night run at Brooklyn Steel, which saw their final show of the May tour sold out. Fans gathered by the masses at the brewery adjacent from the venue and all around the block, waiting in eager anticipation of what was to come.

    Trey and Classic TAB traveled far and wide for this tour, going from Canada, to the Midwest, and ending in Brooklyn; it is clear that momentum is on Mr. Anastasio’s side. Fresh off an acclaimed 4 night run at The Sphere, a new album, Evolve on the way, and not to mention a nation wide summer tour, as well as a 4 night festival, Mondegreen, all of which on the horizon, it’s a busy time for Trey. However, he proved without a shadow of doubt that he has no intention of slowing down, regardless how much success he meets. Flanked by longtime collaborators Dezron Douglas on the bass, Ray Paczkowski on keys, and Russ Lawton on the drums, the evening featured an array of classics and bust-outs.

    Their first song, “Party Time” foreshadowed the evening with fans swaying from side to side right off the bat. “A Wave Of Hope”, a song featured on the upcoming album, “Evolve”, saw Classic TAB delving into uncharted territory. Other classic tunes such as “Gotta Jibboo, “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan”, and “Twist”, solidified the evenings themes of a true celebration.

    Returning for a second set, Trey and Classic Tab delivered an explosive rendition of “Blaze On”. Keeping the foot on the collective gas pedal, they navigated from “Plasma” to the rare but beloved “Alaska”. The vibe was locked and loaded when “Quantegy” rang out. The whole evening could be compared to a masterclass in the subject of musical exploration. Space, sound, and melodies interchanging, intermingling, and an audience paying such close attention, one could hear a pin drop.

    Encores featured, “A Life Beyond the Dream”, and closed with “First Tube”. Fans left encouraged, knowing more music is on the way. Fans of Ray Paczowski and Russ Lawton can see their new project “Lamp” on a limited east coast tour. Fans of Trey can catch him with Phish on tour this summer, which features a 3 night run in Bethel. All tickets are on sale now.

    Trey Anastasio – Brooklyn Steel – May 23, 2024

    Set 1: Party Time, A Wave of Hope, All Pretending, Gotta Jibboo, Shade, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Where They’ll Find Us, Twist, About to Run

    Set 2: Blaze On, Plasma, Alaska, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Quantegy, 46 Days

    Encore: A Life Beyond the Dream, First Tube

  • DOJ Launches Antitrust Lawsuit Against Live Nation

    On May 22, the Department of Justice sued Live Nation alleging it has a monopoly over concert ticketing and promotion.

    The lawsuit states that Live Nation used practices such as exclusive contracts, buyouts of independent promoters, and restriction of venues to crush its market competition. The DOJ filed the lawsuit in New York’s Southern District Court, with 30 states joining the suit. States involved include Florida, Texas, and Colorado, among others.

    Exterior of US Department of Justice

    This lawsuit comes after a 2019 DOJ investigation, which found Live Nation violated the terms set by the federal government after its merger with Ticketmaster. Among these violations, was the pulling of concerts from venues that refused to exclusively use Ticketmaster. The lawsuit also alleges that Live Nation cooperated with arena operator Oak View Group to eliminate competition.

    This lawsuit came after a period of increasing backlash to Live Nation’s practices. Following its 2010 buyout of Ticketmaster, Live Nation controlled up to 80% of major concert tickets. Additionally, the company directly controls 250 venues, 60% of venue promotion, and directly manages 400 artists nationwide. This control has led to issues such as increasing ticketing fees, poor customer service, and restrictions on resale. As a result of monopolization, the DOJ says American concert-goers are “deprived of ticketing innovation and forced to use outdated technology while paying more for tickets than fans in other countries.”

    These issues came to the forefront of public attention during Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour. During the presale period, glitches in the Ticketmaster website left millions unable to purchase tickets. 

    Following this debacle, there was increasing bipartisan action against Live Nation. In January 2023, senators from both parties grilled Live Nation CFO Joe Berchtold in a three hour hearing. This hearing brought to light Ticketmaster’s failings, but also the immense sway Live Nation had over the market.

    “For too long, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have unfairly and illegally run the world of live events, abusing their dominance to overcharge fans, bully venues, and limit artists”

    – Letitia James, New York Attorney General

    This lawsuit comes after the House passage of the TICKET Act in early May 2024. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) requires ticket sellers to display the total ticket price-including fees-in all advertisements. This step towards ticketing transparency received support from the Recording Academy, and artists ranging from Billie Eilish to Dave Matthews. Along with this congressional action, comes a Federal Trade Commission proposal to ban hidden fees on concert tickets.

    Live Nation has pushed back against these criticisms. In an essay on their website, Head of Corporate Affairs Dan Wall has claimed that Ticketmaster does not set prices, being victim to high demand and low supply. These claims, however, come in tandem with record high lobbying by Live Nation. According to OpenSecrets, the company spent a record $2.4 million, as well as hosting a lavish gala, to influence lawmakers into opposing restrictions on its practices.

    This lawsuit would greatly alter the live music industry if successful. Although the DOJ has not said how they want to break up Live Nation, it is expected that they will separate its ticketing and promotional wings. The DOJ hopes that this suit will increase choice for concert-goers, while reducing price. Additionally, this breakup could open venue doors for artists that were restricted before. This lawsuit is just the latest in a string of antitrust suits launched by the Biden administration, which has included Meta, Apple, and Amazon.

  • Hearing Aide: Dasychira’s “Undead”

    NYC-based electronic artist Dasychira has released their second LP and first release in 3 years, Undead, on May 10. The album explores themes of transformation and adaptation, giving listeners a glimpse into Dasychira’s personal development.

    Undead

    Dasychira was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, but has been a New Yorker for the last decade. Studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, they took on their pseudonym allowing them to write and produce music while exploring their own identity. Since then, Dasychira has released works of all sizes, including the most recent, Undead.

    After releasing their first EP Immolated in 2017, Dasychira went on to co-found the label unseelie in 2018, where they released their last two albums, Hollywood Forever and Undead.

    This album represents Dasychira’s navigation through the drastic changes the world has faced over the past few years. These songs articulate their mental journey through COVID-19, war, environmental disasters, and rising technologies. Undead walks you through a dream-like state using a mix of synthesizers and a variety of instruments such as electric guitar, gamelan, and violin, blurring the lines between humans and technology.

    Dasychira

    The album opens with “Bleed and Glow,” which establishes the feeling of being lost through its lyrics. Using electronics and synths, Dasychira conveys the need for fantasy during such a confusing time. The title track, “Undead,” features ballad-like violin and synth arrangements to express longing and desperation during a personal struggle.

    The album’s closer, “Expand Yourself,” signifies the progress of Dasychira’s search for contentedness in the now. By making the electric guitar more prominent than the synth, the music becomes grounded in reality. This completes the album’s goal of accepting personal growth while their surroundings evolve out of their control.

    To learn more about the context of Undead and hear the full album, click here

  • Bronx Summer Jam Is Back For The Third Year

    Bronx Summer Jam will be back for its third season this June 30. Bronx Summer Jam brings a community of all ages together with local artists and a positive space for music lovers.

    Unlike most festivals, the summer jam is free and attendees can easily get tickets on eventbrite. The festival has also started to receive sponsorships from small businesses in the Bronx. With the volume of artists, the festival is split between two stages, the Kings stage and the Sirens stage.

    This grassroots festival was created by nightlife and entertainment company Sounds and Sirens Productions and the media agency The Fox and The King who started collaborating in 2019. Sounds and Sirens serves the NYC and Westchester area of New York and offers live sounds for bands, event production and promotion as well as booking services. The Fox and The King is located in the Bronx and focuses on promoting local artists and supporting the DIY music scene. 

    Last year’s lineup included artists like Bronx native Drew Torres and the NYC based band The Phoenix Within.

    The first summer jam in 2022 was created to get music fans together again after the COVID-19 Pandemic. “I’m inspired and humbled by our progress with Bronx Summer Jam over the last few years.,” DJ Mike said, Founder of Sounds & Sirens in a press release. “I’ve always believed that music brings people together in the best ways. Bronx Summer Jam expands on that year after year, fostering community, promoting artists, and providing a free platform for people to come and experience what local music is all about.” 
    The festival will run between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. To RSVP, you can find the eventbrite page here.

  • Summer Showcase for BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Set For June 5

    The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop has announced that its 35th annual summer showcase will be held on June 5 this year.

    The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7:30 pm at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in Manhattan at 10 W 64th St. It aims to showcase the best big band and jazz orchestra compositions that have been produced in the workshop throughout the year.

    The performances will feature the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece modern repertory ensemble made up of leading New York musicians, performing eight new compositions that have been developed this season. The annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize and Manny Album Commission will be awarded to one of these new works. Additionally, the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop will also feature a new commission from last year’s prize winner, Joseph Herbst. 

    The orchestra will be led by Musical Director Andy Farber, who returns for his eighth year, alongside Assistant Musical Director and three-time GRAMMY-nominee Alan Ferber. Farber teaches jazz composition and arranging at The Juilliard School in New York and has written arrangements for legendary artists including Shirley Horn and Jon Hendricks, as well as symphony orchestras including the Boston Pops Orchestra. 

    Ferber currently teaches composition and arranging at NYU and Montclair State University and directs the NYU Jazz Orchestra. He’s an award-winning trombonist, a multi GRAMMY-nominated composer/arranger and a band leader with nine recordings under his name. As a recording artist, he’s played on over 150 albums, and has collaborated with a broad range of artists that includes Esperanza Spalding, Miguel Zenon, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, and Dr. Dre.

    BMI is delighted to announce the return of the Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase, partnering once more with our exceptional directors Andy and Alan. Each year, we eagerly anticipate gathering to enjoy the extraordinary compositions crafted throughout the year and to honor another deserving recipient of the Charlie Parker Prize.

    ~ Patrick Cook, BMI Senior Director of Jazz & Musical Theatre

    The 25th Annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize will be awarded to the writer of the best new work composed in this year’s BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, determined by three judges: David Berger, Don Braden and John Fedchock. This year’s winning composer will also receive the Manny Albam Commission, named in memory of the Workshop’s co-founder and longtime musical director, to compose a new piece for the 2025 showcase.