Valley Stream native Swoosh God hopes to check off all boxes with the release of his new project Still Swoosh. Moreover, the “sexy drill” artist has also released the music video for his catchy anthem “My Life My Dream” featuring fellow Long Island native and “sexy drill” innovator Chow Lee and produced by hip hop mainstay Harry Fraud.
Swoosh God releases his comeback project “Still Swoosh”
For his part, Swoosh God hopes this marks the start of his second wind. After all, the Valley Stream native originally made waves during the “Soundcloud” era of hip hop, and created a virtual cult-following. Notably, Playboy Carti inked the cultural shape shifter to his label imprint at Interscope Records.
After departing his deal with Carti, Swoosh got back on his independent grind, showing why he attracted such attention after and labeled a future star. After all, his discography includes collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert, Juicy J, Rich The Kid, Famous Dex, Matt Ox, a placement on the NBA2K Soundtrack. Now, Swoosh God is back with Still Swoosh and a music video for “My Life My Dream.”
Still Swoosh
Swoosh God’s latest project is a succinct 8 song and 19 minutes including “My Life My Dream” and another uptempo Chow Lee feature “Two Of Us.” Aided by a pleasing contemporary sped-up cadence, Swoosh interpolates old-school pop samples and sped-up drums to get his effortless flows off, with the production often resembling a jersey club mix. Nonetheless, the unique New York swagger and style adds a certain flair that has been dubbed “sexy drill,” a voluptuous counter to it nefarious predecessor.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter David Shaw of The Revivalists has shared his powerful new single, “Alabama,” serving as his deep response to the ongoing battle against women’s reproductive rights.
Recorded at the historic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL, “Alabama” also speaks about last week’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created during IVF fertility treatments should be considered children. Shaw’s frustration and the recent birth of his daughter inspired his emotional return to the feelings originally captured while recording in Muscle Shoals.
“Music has always been, and always will be at its core a way for people to come together over a common love and bond,” says Shaw. “It’s the great communicator. It reaches the heart of the unreachable and the voice of the unspeakable. It has the distinct ability to pierce the heart of the hardened. Alabama was written to be a beacon of awareness for what’s going on in the South and our beloved country.
Known far and wide as frontman for The Revivalists, David Shaw made an extraordinary solo debut with 2021’s David Shaw, exemplifying his hard-working and courageous nature. Produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, Solange), the album saw the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer following the direction of his internal compass, with rock ‘n’ roll impulses and honesty. Listening solely to his creative impulses, Shaw constructed a studio in his backyard where the songs took shape before recording at The Parlor Recording Studio in New Orleans, LA. Accompanying Shaw on the album is an ensemble of talented musicians and friends including Neal Francis (vocals/guitar), PJ Howard (drums), Mike Starr (bass), and Chris Gelbuda (guitar).
In addition to The Revivalists’ five studio albums – which have earned close to 800M worldwide streams and include the RIAA Platinum-certified #1 hit, “Wish I Knew You” – Shaw spearheaded the creation of the band’s RevCauses, a philanthropic umbrella fund supporting organizations dedicated to investing in our communities, health, and environment. By donating a portion of ticket sales, through fan donations, and a variety of other fundraising efforts, the band assisted multiple national and local organizations in building a better future. Current organizations benefitting include After School Matters, Mercy Ships, Musically Fed, Trans Lifeline, ACLU of Louisiana, Healing Minds NOLA, New Orleans Family Justice Alliance, and Restore The Mississippi River Delta.
I adore living in the south. It’s my home. There’s a warmth here to the people and places we inhabit. But sometimes it can feel like you’re swinging upstream without a paddle with an 800-pound gorilla on your back. It’s hard and it hurts to realize where we are and how far we have to go to reach some sort of common ground and understanding. We’re divided in so many ways but bodily autonomy and reproductive rights for women shouldn’t be one of them. We’ve got to stand up and come together on this. I’m hoping with some action we can find a way forward together. I love you all.
David Shaw
The powerful and emotional single “Alabama” is out now.
Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist of The Grateful Dead, held his annual birthday run at the historical Capitol Theatre for five nights, two of them with “The Q,” made up of Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco, and John Molo.
The night began with “The Wheel” chorus and “Night of 1000 Stars.” The first set included “New Speedway Boogie” and classic “China > Rider” that featured Haynes & Herring trading guitar solos. Having two incredibly prolific guitar players with their own prominent style trading the role of lead guitar was very entertaining.
The second set featured deeper cuts and Deadhead favorites like “Unbroken Chain” and “Dark Star.” The second set also included the funky “Shakedown Street” and ended with “Into The Mystic” – a Van Morrison cover. The band brought the show full circle by encoring with “The Wheel.”
Phil Lesh is a legend and blessing to The Grateful Dead scene – seeing him and The Q play on stage, now celebrating his 84th birthday is nothing short of inspiring. Not fade away!
Setlist: Night of 100 Stars, New Speedway Boogie, New Potato Caboose, Bird Song, China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider
Set 2: Dear Mr. Fantasy, Shakedown Street, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star, The Lo Spark of High Heeled Boys, Passenger, Into The Mystic
The English Punk-rock band Damned have announced their “Black Strawberry” Ball at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan Center on May 31
The Damned’s “Black Strawberry” Ball will feature special guests Lenny Kaye a guitarist, composer, and writer who is also a well known member of the Patti Smith Group, led by vocalist and poet Patti Smith. The show will feature a cerebration of The Dictators, a NY-based legendary rock band that has been making music for the past 50 years at Hammerstein Ballroom. The concert extravaganza will bring their full 80’s line-up back together in the US for the first time since 1989 with the return of Rat Scabies. The legendary lineup will include David Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies and Paul Gray all together again after 35 years.
Following their formation in 1976, The Damned became the first UK punk band to officially release a single, “New Rose,” and an album,Damned Damned Damned. With 12 studio album releases and several UK chart singles, the band are claimed to be one of the few pioneers who emerged from the London punk scene, earning an ever-expanding fan base fueled by legendary live shows. The bands dark lyrics and Dave Vanian’s rich baritone vocals also catapulted The Damned to the forefront of the Goth-rock genre.
Following the bands “Black Strawberry” ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan Center on May 31 announcement, a limited number of presale tickets will go on sale to the the general public on Friday, March 8 at 10 AM ET. And for full event details and tickets fans can find here
New Haven, Connecticut is mainly seen as the smaller market city that the prestigious Yale University calls home. Some might not know that steps from the university sit the legendary club known as Toad’s Place.
The rock club has housed legendary acts such as The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This time around, on Wednesday, March 5, Mammoth WVH returned to the legendary rock club. After releasing their sophomore record, Mammoth IIon Aug. 4, 2024, the band is currently on their “Mammoth II Tour” supporting their newest album.
Before Mammoth WVH graced the almost 50-year stage, guitarist Nita Strauss of the Alice Cooper band warmed up the crowd with her solo act. Joining Strauss on stage was Christopher Dean on bass, Johnny Young on guitar, Katt Scarlett on keyboards, Kasey Karlsen on lead vocals and her fiancee, Josh Villalta on the drums.
Strauss provided amazing guitar skills throughout the opening set that dazzled the sold-out crowd. Being the in-house guitarist for the National League Football team, The Los Angeles Rams since 2020, Strauss has gained national attention for her guitar prowess and did not disappoint.
During Strauss’ nine-song setlist, she wowed the crowd with her signature sound which can be heard on her newest record, The Call of the Void. At one point in the show, Strauss took a minute between songs to recognize the legendary Toad’s Place. “Even out in California, we know about the legendary Toad’s Place and Pepe’s pizza!” brought a thunderous roar from the audience which was beginning to swell larger. With the band headbanging in unison, some of the Toad’s attendees joined in as the band did more than enough to warm the rainy New Haven crowd for Mammoth WVH.
The opening riff of AC/DC’s “Night Prowler” off of 1979’s Highway to Hell blasted over the PA system like thunder strike and the house lights dimmed. The anticipation for the Mammoth WVH’s second trip to Toad’s was palpable. Even with the house lights dimmed and fans packed wall to wall like a can of sardines, the headbanging again picked up while fans held their drinks and the rock horns up. As Mammoth jumped right into “I’m Alright” off the MammothII, as mentioned earlier, the band played a 15-song setlist that lasted just over an hour and a half.
Joining the ranks of Mammoth WVH is, Wolfgang Van Halen (son of the late, Eddie Van Halen) on guitar and lead vocals, Jon Jourdan on guitar, Ronnie Ficarro on bass, and Garrett Whitlock on the drums. Frank Sidoris tours as a third guitarist with the band but this time around he was on the road with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
The crowd, which was of all ages, had smiles across their face like kids on Christmas for the entire set. Mammoth WVH performed at Toad’s two years ago on the double bill “Young Guns Tour” with Dirty Honey. Like the first time, Mammoth’s performance did not disappoint.
In between songs, Van Halen was smiling and playing along with the crowd. While he did not speak for a long time in between songs (certainly not as long as Paul Stanley of KISS), when he did though, he was laughing with his band and talking to members of the audience along the barricade.
At one point in the show, before the start of “Distance” off of 2021’s Mammoth WVH, the rest of the band, besides Van Halen exited the stage, for Van Halen to play an acoustic version of the song. With Oasis’ “Wonderwall” jokingly being played for a brief second at the start, the bone-chillingly beautiful rendition of the tune left lasting memories on the crowd. Typically during a Mammoth WVH performance, while the music is clear, at times with all the instruments you can’t fully grasp each individually. During “Distance,” you were able to fully grasp how great of a musician Van Halen is. His voice is amazing and his guitar skills are mind-blowing. It doesn’t take long to understand why he recorded every instrument track on the first two albums.
The energy of the entire band on stage kept the thrill alive in the audience which was entirely general admission. With Whitlock beating the daylights out of his drums, which kept each song moving forward, the rest of the band was in another gear. It’s easy to see how close of a tight-knit group they are. Each band member was able to feed off the other and bring out the best of the band.
With only two albums under the band’s belt, they were able to play multiple tracks from each of the first two albums. If you were hoping to hear some classic Van Halen, then this show isn’t the one for you. The band does not play anything Van Halen which is a great thing. Wolfgang is an excellent songwriter and overall great musician so it’s amazing to see what he has accomplished so far.
Mammoth WVH is one of the up-and-coming bands in rock music and the fan base is growing larger and larger every day. It’s only a matter of time until they sell out much bigger venues than Toad’s Place. There is very little to hate about this band. If you’re looking for a hungry band with excellent musicianship then this is the band for you.
With fans pilling out onto York Street, what was once a crowded venue turned into a crowded street. The cold and wet night did not keep fans away from standing outside the side door waiting to meet the band just minutes after they walked off the stage. With Toad’s Place dubbing themselves “The place that legends play,” fans exited the venue on Tuesday night knowing that they saw another rock legend in the making.
Nita Strauss Setlist: Summer Storm, Our Most Desperate Hour, Mariana Trench, Alegria, The Quest / Drum Solo, The Wolf You Feed, Through the Noise, Dead Inside, Victorious
Mammoth WVH Setlist: I’m Alright, Right?, Epiphany, Miles Above Me, Like a Pastime, Horribly Right, Optimist, Stone, Distance, Think It Over, Mammoth, You’re to Blame, Take a Bow, Another Celebration at the End of the World, Don’t Back Down
Dreamville’s annual spring festival is returning to Raleigh, NC from April 6-7 in Dorothea Dix Park. Dreamville Festival is curated by the label’s founder, and North Carolina native, J. Cole as well as members of his Dreamville team, who will also be performing at the festival.
Day one will feature SZA and Chris Brown as the headliners. SZA is hot off her second studio album SOS, which earned the 2023 BET Album of the Year award and many other accolades. Last November, Chris Brown released a new album, titled 11:11, touring this June in support. In addition to the headliners, J.I.D, Lil Yachty, Schoolboy Q, Sexyy Red, Jeremih, Earthgang, Teezo Touchdown, Amaarae, Lute, Luh Tyler, and Domani are all performing on the first day of the festival.
J.I.D performing at Made in America Festival, 2022. Photo By: Lucas Kurzweil
Day two of the festival will feature J. Cole and Nicki Minaj as headliners. J. Cole is currently on the “Big As The What?” tour, co-headlining with Drake, and Nicki Minaj is also on tour for her December 2023 release Pink Friday 2. Rema, Jeezy, Monica, Rae Sremmurd, Key Glock, Bas, Muni Long, Cozz, Omen, TiaCorine, and Chase Shakur join on day two.
Plunge into a techno paradise in Queens from May 16–19, when WIRE Festival makes a return to Knockdown Center. This year, the event broadens its scope, delivering three days of non-stop pulsing beats.
On Thursday, May 16, festivities begin with evening talks in collaboration with the Resident Advisor, preparing the ground for an enjoyable weekend. Stage 1 is the Main Hall, where techno’s seminal and innovative acts perform. Meanwhile, Stage 2 is the scene of takeovers. This year, Wire has invited Berlin’s Mala Junta and Amsterdam’s Vault Sessions. These two European collectives will redefine techno in 2024.
A staple of WIRE, the Ambient Stage returns with exclusive sets from versatile New York DJs. As night passes, the stage delivers an extraordinary sound trip through artists’ collections. On Sunday morning, the outdoor closing session at The Ruins features house-focused DJs, offering an intermission from the nonstop techno beats. The outdoor house stage is a new addition that will expand the experience.
WIRE Festival – Photo by Bryan Kwon
With artists like Surgeon, Rødhåd, Boris, Oscar Mulero, and more, WIRE’s lineup is a techno lover’s paradise. With more than 30 years of experience, Surgeon embodies the energy, adventure, and individuality that define techno. The crew takeovers on Stage 2 carry on their tradition, pushing the boundaries with Vault Sessions and Mala Junta.
WIRE Festival is arranged by the team of Téa Abashidze, GeGa Japaridze, and Tyler Myers—the brains behind BASEMENT and the RUSH series. Individual day passes for WIRE Festival at Knockdown Center are available for purchase here, while the weekend passes have sold out.
Buffalo band ‘Free Music Party’ hosted their first music festival, Coldwave, at the Town Ballroom on Saturday, March 2. The event featured local, Buffalo-native artists and musicians from surrounding areas.
Alex Live & Kevin Spears, Free Music Party
The one-day festival lineup featured a headlining performance from Free Music Party themselves. Additional performers included ProSocial, Johnny and the Man Kids, and Nefatli, among others.
As all festivals tend to get a bit of a slow start, Coldwave was no exception to this. That didn’t stop each act from giving it their all during their 30-minute sets and the headliner during their hour-long set.
Kevin Spears, a member of Free Music Party, said of the event, “Cold Wave is a first-year, Western New York-centered music festival hosted by Free Music Party, a Buffalo R&B and Hip Hop act. Under the guidance of Kaylen Price and Max Cambria, Free Music Party gathered some of the freshest and upcoming musical acts from the area, and even a few out-of-town musicians, under the roof of the historic Town Ballroom for a night of music, art, fashion, and community.
The festival aims to capture the raw, unique, and utter coolness of the artistic movement emerging from Buffalo and the surrounding areas. Free Music Party, dubbed “FMP” by friends and fans alike, being heavily involved in this emerging scene from the beginning. We knew we would be the perfect hosts to be at the forefront of this ‘cold wave’.”
Alex Live, Free Music Party
It was incredible to see all of these local acts under one roof. This festival truly gave these artists a platform they might not have had otherwise. It also did wonders to spotlight the Buffalo music scene and its influence in the city.
For more from Coldwave Music Festival, head to Free Music Party’s social platforms @freemusicparty.
Nor.th StarSekouStinloHanarloMiss CactusMailliRosaiNefatliJohnny and the Man KidsProSocialAlex Live & Kevin Spears, Free Music PartyEddy Blanco interacting with the crowdKevin Spears, Free Music PartyLuno J, Free Music PartyEddy Blanco, Free Music PartyLuno J and Apollo Dollo, Free Music PartyEddy Blanco, Free Music Party
Alternative rockers Two Door Cinema Club announced their biggest string of tour dates ever. The tour includes dates in Lewiston and NYC, with the tour starting March 4 and wrapping up on October 3.
Two Door Cinema Club’s tour will see the band’s hot mix of guitar-driven post-punk hooks with dancey, electronic polish. The alt-pop sound gets people moving. The band will play their hits as well as recent music. They will stop at Pier 17 in NYC on July 23 and Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston on July 29. The tour also includes a few dates in Ireland and the UK.
The group hails from Bangor and Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. Lead vocalist, guitarist and programmer Alex Trimble, guitarist and vocalist Sam Halliday, and bassist and vocalist Kevin Baird comprise the trio. The trio began playing as Two Door Cinema Club in 2007 and continue to stand the test of time in 2024 and beyond.
Two Door Cinema Club | 2024 Tour Dates
March 4 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre (with Joywave)
March 5 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! (with Joywave)
March 7 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre (with Joywave)
March 8 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue (with Joywave)
May 17 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre (with Day Wave)
May 18 – Pasadena, CA – Just Like Heaven Festival
May 19 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater (with Day Wave)
May 21 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom (with Day Wave)
May 22 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre (with Day Wave)
May 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union (with Day Wave)
May 25 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom (with Day Wave)
May 28 – Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom (with Day Wave)
May 29 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (with Day Wave)
May 30 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre (with Day Wave)
June 22 – Dublin, IE – Fairview Park
July 13 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy (with Flipturn) *
July 16 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park (with Flipturn) *
July 17 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place (with Flipturn) *
July 20 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater (with Flipturn) *
July 23 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 (with Flipturn) *
July 26 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage (with Flipturn) *
July 27 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion (with Flipturn) *
July 28 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion (with Flipturn) *
July 29 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater (with Flipturn) *
July 31 – Toronto, ON – Coca-Cola Coliseum (with Flipturn) *
August 15 – Belfast, IE – CHSQ
August 16 – Carnmore East, IE – Galway Summer Sessions
August 22 through 25 – Reading, UK – Reading Festival
August 22 through 25 – Leeds, UK – Leeds Festival
September 13 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre (with Petey) *
September 14 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater (with Petey) *
September 15 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater (with Petey) *
September 17 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic (with Petey) *
September 21 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park (with Petey) *
September 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre (with Petey) *
September 25 – El Paso, TX – The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center (with Petey) *
September 26 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park (with Petey) *
September 28 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre (with Petey) *
September 29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus (with Petey) *
October 1 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee (with Petey) *
October 2 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park (with Quarters Of Change) *
October 3 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works (with Quarters Of Change) *
*Newly added tour dates
Tickets for Two Door Cinema Club will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning on Tuesday, March 5at 10 AM ET. An artist presale will begin on Wednesday, March 6at 10 AM. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, March 8at 10 AM at twodoorcinemaclub.com.
NYC Bluegrass hip-hop group Gangstagrass has released their latest funk-infused single titled, “Good at Being Bad.” The group stands for a unique and true musical genre of their own creation that merges the styles of country/bluegrass and hip hop. The latest single from the group exhibits their talent and diversity greatly.
Gangstagrass has also revealed a new 10-track album titled, The Blackest Thing On The Menu. The group delves deeper into the fundamental sounds of each genre, while preserving their own unique blend and sound. “Good at Being Bad” is complete with masterful mandolin playing, dynamic production, and energetic vocals.
The tune seamlessly blends funk with Gangstagrass’s distinctive fusion of bluegrass and hip-hop. The group originated in Brooklyn, but the sound they possess transcends city, state, and country. They are a diverse blend of sound, and the two genres reflect a coming together of American values.
This rebellious collective has achieved unparalleled success in crafting an innovative sound rooted in historically significant heritage. Gangstagrass emphasizes the value of education, frequently conducting workshops for K-12, college students, and adults of diverse backgrounds. Whether through engaging Q&A sessions, historical lessons, or spontaneous music tutorials, the group staunchly advocates for imparting well-rounded knowledge to everyone.
“Working with Gangstagrass was awesome. I had been hip to them for a few years and was really diggin’ what they were doing. Mixing bluegrass with hip hop! Quite out of the box thinking. A lot of worlds coming together. I have always been a fan of bluegrass and have worked on a few records. When we got in the studio, I thought the band was exceptionally talented. Also, I was a rapper myself in the late 80’s and early 90’s, so this scratched my classic hip hop itch with a new school twist. So, to record these amazing lyricists with a live smackin’ band… what more could you ask for!!”
Boo Mitchell
Gangstagrass’ music is a must-listen. Their amazingly different sound is something to certainly lay your ears on.
To listen to Gangstagrass’ latest single, “Good at Being Bad,” via streaming service, click here.
