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Samantha Fish Brings The “Death Wish Blues” tour in Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo This Spring

Samantha Fish has announced her anticipated “Death Wish Blues” tour which will be stopping at the Hart Theatre at The Egg in Albany on March 10, at the The Beacon Theatre in New York on March 15, at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse on March 23 and at the Asbury Hall at Babeville in Buffalo on March 24.

Kansas City based songwriter tour will be a collaboration with Texas-base rock singer Jesse Dayton after the success of their joint album Death Wish Blues which was released in May 2023 . The album produced by Jon Spencer went #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart for three consecutive weeks and since December 2022, the duo have toured across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia, and soon they will bring rock performances to Albany and New York.

After its release in 2023, the powerful and spirited album praise is neverending, Rolling Stone stated, “Jesse Dayton and Samantha Fish make the blues cool and current,” while Saving Country Music called it “wild, rambunctious and loud”. Before Death Wish Blues, Samantha released her critically acclaimed Faster in 2021. The album uncovered new possibilities in Samantha’s captivating sound, revealing her affinity for North Mississippi blues heroes like R.L. Burnside and wildly inventive iconoclasts like Prince. Faster followed her 2019 Rounder Records debut, Kill or Be Kind, produced by the Massachusetts-based Scott Billington.

Growing up in Missouri, Fish first found her love of songwriting in her late teens, mining inspiration from Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. The singer first took up guitar at the age of 15 and began seeking gigs by cold-calling countless local bars. “I used to open the phone book and call up every place in Kansas City, even if they didn’t have live shows,” she remembers. “I had maybe a three percent success rate, but eventually, I started filling up my calendar—if you put on a good enough show, word of mouth gets around.” She added.

Over the years, Fish has maintained her reputation as a phenomenal live act and repeatedly turned out critically acclaimed albums, earning an ever-growing number of accolades. This coming spring the singer will be performing in Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo and fans can find tickets here.

Samantha Fish Tour Dates:

02/16/24: Dallas, TX, Majestic Theatre w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

02/17/24:San Antonio, TX, ACL Live w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

02/18/24: San Antonio, TX, The Espee

02/20/24: Oklahoma City, OK, Tower Theatre

02/21/24: Little Rock, AR, The Hall

02/22/24: Kansas City, MO, The Truman

02/23/24: St LSt Louis, MO, Delmar Hall

02/24/24: Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

02/25/24: Chattanooga, TN, Barrelhouse Ballroom

03/08/24: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Casino

03/09/24: Fall River, MA, Narrows Center For The Arts

03/10/24: Albany, NY, Hart Theatre at The Egg

03/13/24: Ridgefield, CT, Ridgefield Playhouse

03/14/24: Boston, MA, The Wilbur

03/15/24: New York, NY, The Beacon Theatre w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

03/16/24: Great Barrington, MA, Mahaiwe PAC

03/17/24: Newton, NJ, Newton Theatre

03/20/24: Bethlehem, PA, Musikfest Cafe

03/21/24: York, PA, Appell Center

03/22/24: Collingswood, NJ, Scottish Rite Auditorium

03/23/24: Syracuse, NY, Westcott Theater

03/24/24: Buffalo, NY, Asbury Hall at Babeville

03/26/24: Detroit, MI, St. Andrews Hall

03/27/24: Kent, OH,The Kent Stage

03/28/24: Grand Rapids, MI, Elevation

04/27/24: New Orleans, LA, Fillmore

05/02/24: New Orleans, LA, Saenger Theater

09/19/24 – 09/22/24: Louisville, KY, Bourbon & Beyond

February 15, 2024
Young People’s Orchestra To Perform With The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes This March

The Young People’s Orchestra will perform side by side with The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes for their “Side by Side Through the Ages” show at the Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way in Corning, NY on March 10.

The Young People’s Orchestra, directed by Margaret Matthews and Gary Chollet, will perform alongside the professional musicians of the OSFL in a moving and challenging suite of music from the Broadway hit West Side Story. They will perform side by side with the OSFL musicians, Hertzog Concerto and Aria Competition winner Riley Hubisz.

The OSFL will perform the music by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Bernstein on the March 10 concert while SUNY Corning Community College Theatre students will perform scenes from Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare around 1595, which has inspired numerous creatives throughout the ages. The play was set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1869 as an overture-fantasy. The play was also set to music as a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev in 1935 and rewritten into two concert suites in 1936.

The OSFL is known for supporting the creative and artistic development of students through side-by-side opportunities for middle school, high school, and college students. “March is music in our school’s month, when we invite our local young talent to share the stage with us,” says Toshiyuki Shimada, the Music Director of the OSFL. “The Young People’s Orchestra will sit among the OSFL musicians on stage, for an inspiring highlight in their musical development. We also showcase the winner of our own Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition, Riley Hubisz, who is a gifted flute student in 11 th grade at Ithaca High School. It is a pleasure to work with Professor Mary Guzzy from Corning Community College and give the theater students the rare opportunity to perform on stage with a professional orchestra.” He added.

General admission tickets start at $50 and $15 for College students. Entry is free for all children under 18 while groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Tickets for the “Side by Side Through the Ages” show on March 10 can be purchased through OSFL.org, by calling 607-936-2873, or in person at the OSFL office, 49 Bridge Street, Corning, NY.

February 15, 2024
Bones Out: Baked Shrimp Get a Leg Up in Final Albany Sendoff

They say sometimes you need to go away to come back and for fans of Long Island’s most promising powerhouse fusion trio Baked Shrimp, you can only hope that’s true.

After tirelessly traveling the roads, sailing the seas and playing music together for the last seven years, 2024 finds the band in uncharted waters. Murky and unclear. Fresh off the release of their 5th, yes 5th, studio album, fans of the band (known as the Crustnation), were both surprised and saddened to hear that Baked Shrimps’ current tour would also be their last. But before you can stick a fork in them, the tasty band with the tasty jams served up one final course on Friday, February 9^th, giving longtime Albany supporters one final chance to dance at the packed-out Hollow Bar + Restaurant, a venue that’s played an important part in the bands storied history.

Baked Shrimp performed their final Albany show on 2/9/24 at The Hollow.

The double dose of entertainment started off proper with an opening set from Albany’s Glass Pony. Supporting the release of their latest album Washed Away, the self-described ‘psychedelic groove circus’ had fans both new and old mesmerized by their infectiously danceable tunes from the very start. Comprised of Eddie Hotailing (guitar/vocals), Chanda Dewey (drums), Jeff Picarazzi (bass) and Greg Pittz (lead guitar), the band has seen a noticeable growth in both their popularity and in their song writing over the last year. Showcasing their dynamic range and versatility with a set of mostly original songs like “Greenhorn Blues,” “Hypnos” -> “Somewhere to Go” and “Doppler,” it was Glass Pony’s searing rendition of the H.G. Wells/War of the Worlds-inspired jam “Grover’s Mill 1938” that was perhaps most memorable.

Glassy Pony’s Eddie Hotailing connects with the Albany audience on 2/9/24.

Humble and quiet off stage, when frontman Eddie Hotailing is in the grips of performing, he becomes like a rabid animal unleashed. Whether jumping off the stage and jamming out in the crowd, climbing up the walls or on top of Chanda Dewey’s drum kit, feeding off the energy and connecting with the audience is what he does best. Perched high atop The Hollow stage with his guitar in the air, Hotaling has never been more magnetic. Paying tribute to one of the groups biggest influences, Glass Pony would finish out their set with a cover of God Street Wine’s “Nightingale.” A great start to a great night of rock ‘n roll music indeed.

Glass Pony kicked things off proper at The Hollow on 2/9/24.

After a brief set break, promoter Greg Bell of Guthrie Bell Productions took the stage to say a few words about Baked Shrimp. An early believer in the band, Bell is largely responsible for bringing them to the Capital Region so many times over the years, but sadly, this night would be his last. Introducing the band by saying he loves these guys and calling them “the most polite fucking band he’s ever met in his life,” Baked Shrimp jumped right into the deep end with a near 12 minute confessional-like rendition of “More Or Less.” It was clear the guys weren’t just going through the motions. Every note had added meaning and things felt sentimental from the start.

Weird Times: Bassist Maz Perrotti filled in for Baked Shrimp’s Scott Reill on 2/9/24.

Briefly pausing to acknowledge the elephant in the room, the band took a moment to welcome bass player Max Perrotti to the “Crustnation” family. Filling in for original Shrimp bassist Scott Reill on this night, the amount of material and notes Perrotti was able to learn is a bit mindboggling. While the band has kindly requested privacy regarding the specifics of the situation, it was certainly weird seeing someone other than Scott holding down the low end. Perhaps intentionally building on that theme, the infectious opening licks of “Weird Times” and the deep improvisational jam that came from it further laid the blueprints of the unpredictability yet to come. After showing off a bit of country-style pickin’ and counting their “Lucky Stars,” Baked Shrimp would go all the way back to their earliest years with “Touché” from their 2018 debut album Feast of Delight.

Baked Shrimp’s Jared Cowen threw everything but The Wrench (his custom axe) at The Hollow on 2/9/24.

Seamlessly segueing from the psychedelic vibes into their first call-back cover of the night, the band jammed on the “Peter Gunn Theme” in a nod to their Blues Brothers-inspired Halloween set that took place at this same venue in 2023. Fans were eating it up and dancing their tushies off as the band brought it back to the final verse of “Touché,” which I could have sworn also contained teases of “The End” by The Doors.

Suddenly stopping the show and announcing he simply can’t go on any longer without Bones, lead guitarist and frontman Jared Cowen then introduced the Albany audience to the band’s latest amusing muse, a replica skeleton torso made of, you guessed it, bones. Placed atop the bass drum, it didn’t end there as this will forever be remembered as the night local artist Kosmic Kris introduced Bones to Legs, a rather creepy looking mannequin base covered in various inks. Paired together, somehow Bones and Legs just worked, like love at first sight, almost as if it were meant to be.

Bones got a Leg up during Baked Shrimp’s final Albany performance on 2/9/24.

The two props would remain on stage for the remainder of the show as charismatic drummer Jager Soss took over on vocal duties for the down and dirty rocker “Molly Ann.” Baked Shrimp would bring the tremendous first set to a close with the lead single “Chop Suey” from 2024’s final self-titled album. Catchy as hell and even better live. Working in more call-backs to previous Halloween shows, “Chop Suey” also contained “Scooby Doo Theme” teases (Scooby Doo 2018), and a “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead” jam (Wizard of Oz 2019).

Drummer Jager Soss performing in Albany on 2/9/24.

Following a quick 10-minute set break, Baked Shrimp returned for Set II with purpose and vigor. After launching into an extended “Pork Etiquette” -> “Dragostea din tei” -> “Pork Etiquette” dance sandwich, the band called back to their 2021 NRBQ themed Halloween show with the rarely played “Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin.” From fun to introspective, there was a noticeable shift in The Hollow’s vibe when the band mellowed out on “The Victim” before lifting the mood back up with John Fogerty’s ‘can’t miss’ singalong “Centerfield,” which the band first played at their baseball themed Halloween show back in 2020. You can watch fan shot video of that in the video clip below.

Put Me in Coach: Baked Shrimp had the whole crowd singing along to their cover of “Centerfield” on 2/9/24.

After leading the crowd through another song from the new album called “Can’t Cut the Mustard,” the bittersweet feeling that the end was near suddenly felt very palpable. Expressing a genuine and heartfelt “thank you” to the audience for all the years of good memories and support, Cowen would mention how special this night felt to him and his hopes people will keep up with the guys down the line as they will still be out there making music in one form or another. After getting the ‘OK’ from both Greg Bell and Bones, Baked Shrimp would encore for the final time in Albany with a funked out nod to their 2022 Spinal Tap show with “All the Way Home,” before closing with a nostalgic speech about the importance of friends and loved ones, forgetting about those ‘weird’ times and to be present in the moment, to smile, to dance with strangers and the importance of supporting your local music scene. Pouring everything left in the tank into the powerful and soaring anthem “Rock Bottom,” which included subtle Umphrey’s McGee “All In Time” and Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” song teases, Baked Shrimp stood tall at the end, proud and powerful and completely exhausted as the marathon performance came to a close just after 2am.

Baked Shrimp serving it up in Albany on 2/9/24.

What. A. Show. Incredible musicians and even better people. While this chapter of Baked Shrimp may be coming to a close, it’s clear there’s still lots of music and lots of talent left inside these guys. It’s been a privilege watching them grow and getting to know them a bit over the years. From their earliest gigs at hole-in-the-wall clubs, to gracing the stage at major festivals like Peach, Northlands, Adirondack Independence, and the Great South Bay, to teaching us how to “Love Like Lon” at their own inaugural LonCon Festival, we here at NYS Music wish nothing but this best for all the members of this band. If hard work truly pays off, one day Baked Shrimp will surely be swimming in riches as bountiful as the heart of the ocean itself. Don’t take it from me though, listen for yourself! You can stream the entire show from The Hollow now on Bandcamp or at the link below. Baked Shrimp is scheduled to play their final show on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in Bridgeport Connecticut in what will surly be an emotional evening.

Stream the show here.

Baked Shrimp | February 9, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

Set One: More or Less, Weird Times, Lucky Stars, Touché -> Peter Gunn Theme -> Touché, Molly Ann, Chop Suey.
Set Two: Pork Etiquette -> Dragostea din tei -> Pork Etiquette, Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin’, The Victim, Centerfield, Can’t Cut the Mustard.
Encore: All the Way Home, Rock Bottom.
Notes: Entire show featured Max Perrotti on bass, filling in for Scott Reill. This show paid a tribute to Baked Shrimp’s 6 Halloween performances which all took place in New York, 2 of the most recent being at The Hollow. “Peter Gunn Theme” from Blues Brothers 2023, “Chop Suey” contained “Scooby Doo Theme” teases (Scooby Doo 2018), and a “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead” jam (Wizard of Oz 2019), “Howard Johnson’s Got his HoJo Workin’” from NRBQ 2021, “Centerfield” from Baseball 2020, and “All the Way Home” from Spinal Tap 2022. “Bones” and his new partner “Legs” were introduced and brought on stage prior to “Molly Ann.”

Glass Pony | February 9, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

Setlist: Kitty > Greenhorn Blues, Hypnos* -> Somewhere to Go, Doppler, Grover’s Mill 1938, Nightengale^.
* – unfinished
^ – @godstreetwine.

February 15, 2024
Upstate Films Announces Grand Opening of “The Mark” in Saugerties

The Hudson Valley will soon have a new world-class venue as Upstate Films has announced the grand opening of The Mark – a brand new screening room above the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties.

The Mark is an intimate 99-seat space featuring outstanding sightlines, comfortable seats, and top-of-the-line cinema audio and live sound systems. The theater was designed by the acclaimed acoustic consulting and architectural design firm WSDG, based in Highland, NY. WSDG is one of the world’s leaders in the creation of audio facilities.

The Mark’s most notable elements are its acoustics with its Dolby Atmos sound system, engineered with WSDG and cinema specialist Dave Berti, which provides precision sound that envelops the audience, immersing them in the heart of the film. The acoustics in the geometric room are crafted with artisanal care and the latest sound engineering technologies. The live sound system has been designed by WSDG in partnership with Blaze Audio, for outstanding performances.

The theater is named in honor of the late Mark Braunstein, the visionary founder of Markertek, a beloved member of the mid-Hudson Valley arts community, and a generous philanthropist. WSDG, led by John Storyk, has previously designed venues and studios for Bruce Springsteen, UCLA, Lincoln Center, Spotify, Jay-Z, MTV, Alicia Keys, NYU, and, at the beginning of Storyk’s career, Jimi Hendrix.

We are immensely proud to be part of this project. Communities need theaters more than ever, and this theater will rival professional executive screening rooms anywhere in the nation. This is a project my dear friend Mark Braunstein would have loved to have supported—he understood the importance of gathering together to celebrate the arts and culture. It is an honor to dedicate our work to Mark.
John Storyk

Upstate Films was founded in 1972 in Rhinebeck, New York. In the past 51 years, it has provided millions of filmgoers with life-altering, inspiring, and connective experiences, remaining one of the nation’s most prominent rural art-house cinemas. In addition to the Orpheum Theatre, Upstate Films operates the Starr Cinema in Rhinebeck Village, and its touring program has visited Catskill, Kingston, Hudson, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Kinderhook, and Woodstock.

“Every community deserves a great gathering place,” said Jason Silverman, co-executive Director of Upstate Films. “The Orpheum has inspired generations of people from our region. The Mark will make a great space even better—we think it’ll be one of the best and most exciting venues to fully experience a movie anywhere. Working with WSDG and John and honoring Mark Braunstein—an extraordinarily generous man— has given this project a lot of soul.”

The Orpheum, a central feature of the Main-Partition Streets National Historic District, was built in 1908 as a roller rink, vaudeville house, and community center. It was converted into a movie theater in 1918 and served for a century as the center of communal life for Saugerties. Upstate Films purchased The Orpheum in 2021 and completed its first phase of renovations, including technical, safety, and environmental updates, a new lobby, and a spectacular new audio system in its large theater.

The Mark’s Grand Opening celebration runs Friday, March 15 through Wednesday, March 20, with a special program exploring the room’s acoustics on Wednesday, April 10. The festivities include three open house events featuring Atmos short films and free refreshments, a silent film with live accompaniment, comedy, the launch of “All Singing, All Dancing,” (a new series of classic musicals), and new and classic Atmos films.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15 at the Orpheum, 200 Main Street, Saugerties. For more information, visit here.

Grand Opening Program

Monday, March 11-Friday, March 15

Friday, March 15

5 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony (details to come)

5:15-6:30 p.m. Open House at The Mark: free short films, popcorn and soda

7 p.m. Silent film: THE GENERAL (Buster Keaton, 1926) with live music by Anvil Orchestra / $10/$14

Saturday, March 16

Noon-2 p.m. Open House at The Mark: free short films, popcorn and soda

2:30 p.m. DUNE: PART 2, in Atmos / $7-$11

6:30 p.m. $5 community screening: LA LA LAND in Atmos (2023)

8:30 p.m. Upstate Comedy Club (local comedy showcase)

Sunday, March 17

Noon to 2 p.m. 30-minute clip show on repeat (free admission and popcorn)

2:30 p.m. DUNE PART 2 (2024, in Atmos) $7-$11

6 p.m. $5 community screening: RRR (dir. S.S. Rajamouli, 2022, 187 min)

Monday, March 18

6 p.m. RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCE (2023, 168 min.) / $7-$11

Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday March 20

7 p.m. Musical series “All Singing, All Dancing: HIGH SOCIETY, introduced by Katie Cokinos

Wednesday, April 10

7 p.m. The Magic of the Mark: An Evening with John Storyk and Elliot Scheiner FREE / reservations strongly recommended

February 15, 2024
Cosmic Country Revelry with Daniel Donato at the Westcott Theater
The Westcott Theater in Syracuse became a pulsating hub of musical energy as Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, a genre-blurring jam band with country influences, graced the stage in a nearly sold-out performance that left attendees exhilarated and yearning for more.

Recently anointed “Nashville’s new guitar hero,” by Rolling Stone, Donato led the audience through a jammy night of fun showing off sonic influences from the Grateful Dead and Phish to Waylon Jennings.

The atmosphere within the Westcott Theater was charged with anticipation even before the first note resonated through the venue. As the lights dimmed, one of the most packed houses the Westcott has seen erupted into cheers, a testament to the fervent following that Daniel Donato and his Cosmic Country collective have cultivated. The energy was palpable as the band took the stage, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of country-infused improvisation and musical exploration.

The band’s lineup features Daniel Donato on lead guitar and vocals, alongside a talented ensemble of musicians including Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, Will “Mustang” McGee on bass, and Noah Winner on drums. And they immediately captivated the crowd. It was hard to move around inside the theater the venue was so packed, and when the music started all those people went wild.

The band’s chemistry was palpable, with each member contributing to the sonic tapestry in their own unique way. The rhythm section provided a solid foundation, propelling the music forward with a cosmic heartbeat, the bass was hard-charging and in your face while the keyboardist added layers of textures, creating an immersive sonic experience.

As the night reached its climax, the audience was left in a state of euphoria. Cosmic Country had taken them on a journey, blurring the lines between the earthly and the celestial. The Westcott Theater became a haven where traditional notions of genre were shattered, and the universal nature of music prevailed.

The night was a masterclass in musical exploration. Through his exceptional guitar skills, emotive vocals, and a band that seamlessly blended genres, Donato delivered a performance that was both otherworldly and grounded in the roots of country music. Cosmic Country is no doubt on the way up to the top and fans should make sure to catch them at more intimate venues like these while they still have the chance.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Westcott Theatre, Syracuse – Saturday, February 10, 2024

Set 1: Why Have You Been Gone So Long?, Cigar Time, Halfway (In Between), Hi-Country, Playing Your Game, Weathervane > Blue Skies > Weathervane, Locomotive No. 9 > Rose In a Garden, Banks of the Ohio, Broadside Ballad > Hangman’s Reel

Set 2: Passing Storm, Sugar Shack, Luck of the Draw > Sugar Leg Rag, Illusions, Down Along the Cove, Down Bedford, Down By The Riverside, Dance in the Desert
February 14, 2024
Dirt Monkey is Blown Away By the Buffalo Crowd

DJ/Producer Dirt Monkey made a stop in Buffalo for his MYCELIUM SOUND tour on Friday, February 9. This EDM artist completely steam-rolled through Town Ballroom making it a night to remember.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The openers this night were stacked with intricate sound design and deep bass grooves that made it impossible not to get hyped up. Artists Neon Black and Austeria are growing producers in the scene that are paving the way for up and coming dubstep. Last-minute fill in G-Space completely wooed the crowd with his layered mystic sound that blends trap and funk music.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Dirt Monkey took over the stage and immediately brought the vibes even higher. One element that this talented producer has mastered is expanding across multiple EDM sub genres to bring a new sound to fans. From dubstep, to drum and bass, to house and everything in between he is not afraid to go beyond conventional norms. It’s no surprise his devoted following considers him a producer’s producer.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

2023 was the year of releases for Dirty Monkey. He released not one, but two full length albums, MYCELIUM SOUND PT. 1 and MYCELIUM SOUND PT. 2. He performed an array of songs off both albums and even shared unreleased tracks that he’s been working on.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Old School X New School

Dirt Monkey utilizes a reggae sound throughout his drops that gives his music a sense of funk that is addictive to listen to. His visuals match this vibe with intricate geometrical patterns and electric colors.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Despite this being a tour for his new sound, Dirt Monkey still found a way to play his old hits. Some of which include “Gabagool,” “Lift Off,” and “Jack It Up.” He also mixed in other artists tunes while giving them that Dirt Monkey twist. It is a testament to his artistry that he can make even a house music hater question their taste because Dirt Monkey knows how to add that extra flavor to songs.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

There was something different in the air at Town Ballroom that night and Dirt Monkey even shared how he could tell the people in Buffalo really listened to his music. The crowds energy that night made Buffalo a must stop for him and it’s why so many popular EDM artists keep coming back. The western NY EDM scene has reignited shows in a whole new way.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

If you want to be a part of the growing EDM phenomena in Buffalo check out the upcoming shows from SABAI February 23 and Subtronics February 29. Get your tickets here.

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

February 14, 2024
Chromeo World Tour Stops by Terminal 5 This Fall

Chromeo—the GRAMMY-nominated duo of Montreal natives David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel–have announced they will embark on a North American co-headline tour with The Midnight this fall, stopping at Terminal 5 on Oct. 4.

Credit: Bobby Doherty

After almost two decades of shiny synths and sharp lyrics, Chromeo has set themselves apart as dedicated scholars of the groove, proving time and again that no one does it quite like them. Across their five critically acclaimed LPs, Dave 1 and P-Thugg established an irresistible electrofunk sound. Together, the inseparable friends have toured the world over, perfecting a musical and visual language that is now instantly recognizable and more refined.

Chromeo’s long-awaited, sixth studio album, Adult Contemporary, is out this Friday, February 16. Across the record’s 14 tracks, the duo explores what it means to be funky in your 30s and 40s, offering the most sophisticated version of the infectious grooves and cheeky wordplay they’ve become known for. Already receiving critical acclaim, FLAUNT praises: “P-Thugg and Dave 1 have one of those unique creative partnerships that bears the most wonderful kind of fruit: that evergreen, ever-juicy groove.”

Chromeo debuted the new music in live performances last year, first at Coachella and then on their FUNK YOURSELF Tour, their first headline run in five years. Synthwave duo The Midnight will join Chromeo on the North American fall run. The band—helmed by Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan—lives at the intersection of varying sounds, driven by the frictional spark that fires when the two melt together.

They will be joined this fall by special guests Ruth Radelet and Girl Ultra. Ruth Radelet is best known as the lead singer in the seminal electronic band Chromatics. Her solo material expands her sonic palette with hypnotic vocals and dreamy atmospheres. Girl Ultra is a Mexican singer, songwriter, and creative director.

Presale for all North American dates (US, Canada, Mexico) begins Wednesday, February 14 at 10 a.m. local time, with general on sale Thursday, February 15.

CHROMEO INTERNATIONAL DATES

May 28—Copenhagen, DK—Vega

May 29—Oslo, NO—Vulkan Arena

May 30—Stockholm, SE—Debaser Strand

June 1—Brussels, BE—La Madeline

June 2—Amsterdam, NL—Melkweg

June 4—Cologne, DE—Kantine

June 5—Berlin, DE—Metropol

June 7—Paris, FR—Le Trianon

June 9—Leeds, UK—Project House

June 10—Glasgow, UK—SWG3 TV Studio

June 11—Manchester, UK—New Century

June 13—Bristol, UK—SWX

June 14—London, UK—O2 Forum Kentish Town

June 21—Mexico City—MX Pepsi Center WTC

CHROME NIGHTS TOUR

September 5—Vancouver, BC—Malkin Bowl *

September 6—Seattle, WA—Remlinger Farms *

September 7—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater *

September 11—San Francisco, CA—The Warfield *

September 13—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theater *

September 14—San Diego, CA—Gallagher Square *

September 16—Phoenix, AZ—The Van Buren *

September 17—El Paso, TX—Lowbrow Palace *

September 19—San Antonio, TX—Boeing Center at Tech Port *

September 20—Austin, TX—ACL Live at the Moody Theater *

September 21—Dallas, TX—The Factory Deep Ellum *

September 22—Houston, TX—The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall *

September 24—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live *

September 25—Orlando, FL—The Vanguard *

September 27—Atlanta, GA—The Eastern †

September 28—Asheville, NC—Rabbit Rabbit †

September 29—Raleigh, NC—The Ritz †

October 1—Philadelphia, PA—Franklin Music Hall †

October 2—Boston, MA—Roadrunner †

October 3—Washington, DC—The Anthem †

October 4—New York, NY—Terminal 5 †

October 7—Montreal, QC—MTELUS †

October 9—Toronto, ON—HISTORY †

October 10—Newport, KY—MegaCorp Pavilion †

October 11—Detroit, MI—Royal Oak Music Hall †

October 12—Chicago, IL—Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom †

October 14—Minneapolis, MN—Palace Theater †

October 15—Kansas City, MO—The Midland Theater †

October 16—Omaha, NE—Steelhouse Omaha †

October 18—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom †

*with Ruth Radelet

†with Girl Ultra

February 14, 2024
New York Series: “New York Is Not My Home” by Jim Croce

New York City is famously known as the place where dreams are made. Countless musicians from Jay-Z to Billy Joel have risen from the concrete jungle and in turn paid homage to the city in their respective music. Their songs like “New York State of Mind” and “Empire State of Mind” solidify the iconography, nostalgia and incomparable energy of NYC.

But not all musicians have the same experience. Jim Croce and his song “New York’s Not My Home” is the antithesis of the other New York classics. A soft, folky, acoustic ballad, Croce expresses disillusionment with the famed city and the need to get out.

“New York’s Not My Home” was released in 1972, the third track on Croce’s third studio album You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. This was his first album recorded with ABC Records and featured many of the tunes that skyrocketed him into the public eye, including “Time in a Bottle.”

“You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” album art

Croce grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent many of his formative years there, and went on to attend college at Villanova University in 1961. Croce would eventually travel far and wide but he continually was drawn back to the state of Pennsylvania his entire life. As such, he never had much attachment to New York City. In fact, he only lived there for a short period of time, in 1968. Croce moved there with his wife and fellow musician Ingrid Croce, when he was 30-years-old. With a record deal in hand, they hoped the city would lead to their big break. However, after becoming disenchanted with both the city and the music industry, the couple moved to the countryside back in Pennsylvania.

According to Ingrid, the idea for this song came as they were leaving New York and driving to their new home. As the tale goes, the couple spent the night sleeping in their car in a parking lot in New Jersey. The sight of the New York City skyline from where they were parked gave Jim the idea for the song.

In the first verse, Croce paints the scene and begins with the inkling that something here just isn’t working.

Things were spinnin’ ’round me

And all my thoughts were cloudy

And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me

Been in so many places, you know I’ve run so many races

I looked into the empty faces of the people of the night

Somethin’ is just not right

As the lyrics suggest Croce worked many jobs and traveled many places in his lifetime. Croce worked on construction crews and taught guitar at a summer camp. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard for a brief stint. He worked as a teacher at a junior high school and he also did a foreign exchange program in Africa and the Middle East. In most cases, Pennsylvania always pulled Croce back. In this respect, New York was never really his home and never a place he felt deeply connected with.

The chorus repeats Croce’s need to leave New York City and find a new place.

‘Cause I know that I’ve gotta get outta here

I’m so alone

Don’t you know that I gotta get outta here

‘Cause New York’s not my home

The second verse gets much more literal with Croce as he delves into his reasons for wanting to leave New York. While New York is a place where dreams are conventionally made, Croce never experienced commercial success there and instead became fed up with the rat race of the industry. Croce had secured a deal with Capitol Records but the contract heavily favored the record company and there were delays with the recording process. The couple could barely afford to live in NYC as a result, so they headed for the countryside in Pennsylvania, going as far as to sell their guitars before making the move.

Though all the streets are crowded

There’s somethin’ strange about it

I lived there ’bout a year and I never once felt at home

I thought I’d make the big time

I learned a lot of lessons awfully quick

And now I’m tellin’ you that they were not the nice kind

It has been so long since I have felt fine

But even in Pennsylvania, Croce continued to write and it was here that he penned perhaps his most famous tune “Time in a Bottle.” That song, as well as “New York’s Not My Home,” were both featured on You Don’t Mess Around With Jim. The album saw immediate success with a string of hit songs and throughout 1972-1973 Croce furiously toured the country. While commercial success didn’t come in New York, Croce did things his way and it paid off.

Towards the end of “New York’s Not My Home”, Croce fittingly ruminates on New York being someone else’s fantasy. New York may be where some dreams are made, but as Croce proves, it’s certainly not where all of them are.

“The dream’s not mine anyway…So I’m going back to find…Some peace of mind in San Francisco.”

February 14, 2024
The Listen Up Awards Return in March

The Listen Up Awards will be returning for its third installment on March 24, 2024. Hosted by Putnam Place, doors open at 2 p.m. for this unique Capital District awards event.

The Listen Up Awards have been successful for the past two years. Chosen by the people, the nominees are an accumulation of local favorites, with nearly 39,000 votes cast last year. Created by Mirth Films and Radio Radio X, the award show is different from others in that they don’t take themselves too seriously but they do seriously support the local music scene. Like a Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Award, they promote fun.

The performers are all winners from the previous year but they do not allow musicians/bands/artists to be nominated two consecutive years in a row in the same category. This will give more chances to those who can be entered into nomination for future ceremonies. Performers this year include Sly Fox and The Hustlers, North Allen Duo, The E-Block, and Black Cat Elliot.

Every year the Listen Up Awards take the time to honor notable people from the local music scene who have made a real difference in the community. Last year they presented “Hero Awards” to Howard Glassman, Mother Judge, Scott Dorrance, and Josh Bloomfield. The 2024 Hero Award Recipient Class will be: Rudy Lu (Music Photographer), Jason Keller (WEQX DJ), Bill Milhizer (The Fleshtones Drummer), Ralph Spillenger (Bayou Cafe, Bijou, Jillian’s), Johnny Rabb (Rockabilly MusicianI, The Erotics (Hard Rock Band), and Charlene “Char” Shortsleeve (QE2, 288 Lark and Duck Soup).

For more information, visit here.

February 14, 2024
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Nominees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) has recently announced the 2024 list of potential inductees to the program. The list includes several notable New York artists including Mary J. Blige, Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Lenny Kravitz and more.

The 2024 ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+ and will be available on Hulu the next day. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Ten out of 15 of the Nominees are on the ballot for the first time. This includes Mariah Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.

New York is greatly represented this year, with six of the 15 nominees hailing from the Empire State. Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Foreigner, Lenny Kravitz, Eric B. & Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest all native to New York.

Inductees will be announced in late April. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland this fall with date and on-sale information to be announced.

90s hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest have been nominated a few times for the RRHOF. This year, the jazzy, vintage-sound, of A Tribe Called Quest’s true and influential music will be heard and considered by the panel once more.

Along with Tribe, fellow New York hip-hop artists Eric B. & Rakim will be considered for induction. Eric B. and Rakim are widely regarded as one of, if not the most influential rap duos to ever grace the genre. Rakim has become an icon for being the father of 90s rap and its many sounds.

“This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.” 
John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation

70s and 80s rock band Foreigner is on the ballot, and their induction is one that many rock fans have waited for. Fellow rocker Lenny Kravitz looks to secure a place in the Hall of Fame, boasting a large and diverse catalogue. Lenny Kravitz is not just rock, he is soul, and he is inspiration.

This year’s nominations are packed with extraordinary talent, and their impacts are all unique and important. This multi-genre line up is certainly going to be neck and neck with votes for induction.

For more information on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, its nominees, and tickets, visit RockHall.com.

February 14, 2024