A New York music legend that remains backstage, Stacey Waterman has been making the state’s music scene move behind the scenes for well over 30 years now.
A star of the music scene who actively avoids the limelight may seem like an oxymoron, but Stacey Waterman does so with utter grace and humility. A legend in New York’s backstage management scene, Waterman’s work has earned her a spot in the SAMMYs Hall of Fame alongside decades worth of respect from everyone within the industry and outside of it.
The owner of The DMR Agency, Stacey is responsible for production management services for a wide host of promoters, venues, and events throughout Central New York. No factor of the industry is outside of her wheelhouse, specializing in concert and festival coordination and execution, booking and contract negotiations with talent, and settlement.
Having gotten her start in her early 20s managing the local band White Boy and the Wagon Burners, Waterman’s resume today is impressive beyond the meaning of the word.
The list of names in Stacey’s repertoire is incredibly expansive, including but not limited to Paul McCartney, Dave Matthews, Phish, and The Rolling Stones, though with over 30 years into the gig, she’s stated that being starstruck is a thing of the past while on the job.
On a broader scale, Stacey has also worked with the likes of Live Nation, The New York State Fair, Creative Concerts, Famous Artist Broadway, Galaxy Events, FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, and a myriad of other organizations.
With an attentive eye and a clear, genuine care for the craft, each of Waterman’s shows receives the same amount of energy- that is to say, 100%. She balances professionalism and lightheartedness perfectly, reportedly doing everything from tracking down birthday cakes to hiring a veterinarian for a band member’s cat.
Stacey and her dog Shakima.
In her own words from a conversation with Syracuse.com, she always does her best to accommodate a request no matter how challenging it may seem to accomplish because she “want(s) everyone to leave with a good feeling.”
Beyond her freelance work, Waterman is responsible for one of her signature local events, The Salt City Waltz. A recreation of the iconic farewell concert captured by Martin Scorsese, the event features the biggest names of the area, uplifting and showcasing local creatives.
A truly admirable woman in the music scene- especially the backstage portion that so often becomes a male-dominated space- it’s not difficult to call Waterman a genuine inspiration, and an admirably humble one at that.
To keep up with Stacey and learn about her newest upcoming events, be sure to check out her Instagram page here.
Vocalist Shemekia Copeland will celebrate the release of her Grammy-nominated album, Blame It On Eve, with a live performance at The Egg in Albany on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Shemekia Copeland’s latest album, Blame It On Eve, received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The title track, written by John Hahn and Will Kimbrough, received nominations for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song. These three nominations now bring her total to eight. Upon release, Blame It On Eve debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
Born in Harlem in 1979, Shemekia Copeland released her debut album “Turn The Heat Up” in 1998 when she was only 18. The New York Times and CNN, among many others, praised her talent, larger-than-life personality, dynamic, authoritative voice, and true star power. Copeland’s music has continued to evolve over the years along with her notoriety and skill.
Blame It On Eve was recorded in Nashville with producer Will Kimbrough, who also produced her previous three albums and doubles as an instrumentalist and songwriter. Each of the 12 songs has substance and contains jaw-dropping performances from Copeland and the band.
“There’s serious business on the new album,” Copeland says. “But there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. It’s my blues for sure but it’s the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And that’s something we all can all agree on.”
Tickets are on sale now. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
March 30 and April 12, 2025 have been announced as the first two dates of the Outline Festival in 2025. Featuring artists such as Thurston Moore, Michael Rother, Eiko Ishibashi, Explosions In The Sky, and more, they’ll perform during the Knockdown Center‘s flagship series, which continues to further a commitment to celebrating international expressions of independent music.
Germany’s Michael Rother is set to headline the Main Hall on Sunday, March 30th, showcasing the pivotal works of Neu! and Harmonia. The evening will also feature performances by post-punk pioneer Thurston Moore, the Australian post-punk duo HTRK, and Japanese singer-songwriter and composer Eiko Ishibashi.
On Saturday, April 12th at Knockdown Center, Outline Festival will expand its offerings to include a diverse showcase of avant-garde and alternative music, as well as instrumental, IDM, pop, and psychedelic genres. Across two stages, the festival will feature performances from Austin’s renowned post-rock quartet Explosions In The Sky, the Icelandic band múm, Guatemalan-born, Mexico City-based cellist and vocalist Mabe Fratti, Philadelphia shoegazers They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Dutch producer and innovator upsammy, and Mexico City’s no wave and krautrock-inspired group Diles Que No Me Maten.
Throughout 2024, Outline will spotlight various genres and regions, continually evolving with each edition. The festival will present a range of performances, from the seismic sounds of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Alan Sparhawk, Marina Herlop, and Maria BC, to hard rock and metal acts like The Armed, King Woman, Chat Pile, Cloakroom, Ragana, and Couch Slut.
The event will culminate in a rapturous finale featuring Yaeji, Sofia Kourtesis, Ela Minus, Nourished by Time, and Malibu. Each new edition will be uniquely curated to highlight the best in both artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of creativity and redefining what a venue and festival can be as it moves into 2025.
Tickets are available now. Learn more about Knockdown Center and purchase tickets for March 30 fest here and for April 12 here.
Cabell “Cab” Calloway III was born on Christmas Day, 1907 in Rochester, living on Sycamore Street. His mother was a teacher and church organist and his father was a lawyer. When Calloway was 11, they moved to Baltimore. After he was caught playing dice on the church steps, his mother sent him to a reform school in Pennsylvania.
When he returned to Baltimore, Calloway began private voice lessons and continued his study of music throughout school. He soon began performing at nightclubs in Baltimore and was mentored by Chick Webb and Johnny Jones.
In 1927, Calloway joined his older sister, Blanche, in a tour of Plantation Days. She achieved success first, he often credited her as an inspiration to enter show business. His parents wanted him to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a lawyer. Therefore, he enrolled to college in Chicago, but spent his nights at the Dreamland Ballroom, Sunset Cafe, and the Club Berlin. At the Sunset Cafe, he was an understudy for Adelaide Hall. He also met and performed with Louis Armstrong.
Harlem
In 1929, Calloway moved to Harlem, performing with the Alabamians band. They opened at the Savoy Ballroom and broke up soon after. With help from Armstrong, Calloway established himself as a vocalist by singing “Ain’t Misbehavin’” by Fats Waller. Soon after, The Missourians asked Calloway to join and front them.
The following year, the band name shifted to Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. In 1931, the band replaced the Duke Ellington Orchestra at the Cotton Club while they were on tour. Due to the increased popularity, they were offered a permanent position there.
The band also performed regularly on radio broadcasts on NBC. Calloway also appeared on radio programs with Walter Winchell and Bing Crosby became the first African-American to have a nationally syndicated radio show. During the heights of the Great Depression, Calloway was earning $50,000 per year at the age of 23.
The 30’s and 40’s
In 1931, Calloway recorded his most famous song, “Minnie the Moocher.” This is the first single song by an African-American to sell one million records. Three of his songs, “The Old Man of the Mountain,” “St. James Infirmary Blues” and “Minnie the Moocher”, were performed in Betty Boop cartoons.
Calloway soon received the nickname “The Hi De Ho Man.” He performed in the 1930s in short films for Paramount. In these, Calloway performs a gliding backstep dance move, a possible precursor to Michael Jackson’s moonwalk.
Calloway’s band in the 1930s and 1940s included many notable musicians, such as Ben Webster, Ed Swayze, Cozy Cole, and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1940, Strike Up the Band, starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, has a line of “You are not Cab Calloway” after playing poorly.
In 1941, Calloway fired Gillespie from his orchestra after an onstage fracas erupted when Calloway was hit with spitballs. He wrongly accused Gillespie, who stabbed Calloway in the leg with a small knife.
In 1956, Clarence Robinson, who produced revues at the original Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater, and choreographed the movie Stormy Weather, cast Calloway as the main attraction for his project in Miami. The Cotton Club of Miami featured a troupe of 48 people, including singer Sallie Blair, George Kirby, Abbey Lincoln, and the dance troupe of Norma Miller. The success of the shows led to the Cotton Club Revue of 1957 which had stops at the Royal Nevada Hotel in Las Vegas, the Theatre Under The Sky in Central Park, Town Casino in Buffalo.
Later Years
The Cotton Club Revue of 1959 traveled to South America for engagements in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. They also stopped in Uruguay and Argentina before returning to North America which included a run on Broadway. Directed by Mervyn Nelson and choreographed by Joel Nobel, this edition featured Ketty Lester, The Three Chocolateers. The revue toured Europe in 1959 and 1960, bringing their act to Madrid, Paris, and London.
Calloway remained a household name due to TV appearances and occasional concerts in the US and Europe. In 1961 and 1962, he toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, providing halftime entertainment during games.
In 1985, Calloway and his Orchestra appeared at The Ritz London Hotel where he was filmed for a 60-minute BBC TV show called The Cotton Club Comes to the Ritz. Adelaide Hall, Doc Cheatham, Max Roach, and the Nicholas Brothers also appeared on the bill. A performance with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra directed by Erich Kunzel in August 1988 was recorded on video and features a classic presentation of “Minnie the Moocher”, 57 years after he first recorded it.
On June 12, 1994, Calloway suffered a stroke at his home in Westchester County. He died five months later from pneumonia on November 18, 1994, at age 86, at a nursing home in Hockessin, Delaware.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 1990, Calloway was presented with the Beacons in Jazz Award from The New School. The NYC mayor at the time, David Dinkins, proclaimed the day “Cab Calloway Day.”
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) annually honors the jazz legend, a native of Rochester, with a stakes races restricted to NY-bred three-year-olds, as part of their New York Stallion Series. First run in 2003, The Calloway has since undergone various distance and surface changes. The race is currently run at Saratoga Racecourse, one of America’s most popular, premier racetracks. The Cab Calloway Stakes celebrated its 13th renewal on July 24, 2019.
The Ithaca Reggae Fest family has announced the return of the much-loved Ithaca Reggae Fest, taking place June 20-21, 2025 in the picturesque Stewart Park, Ithaca.
This vibrant festival celebrates reggae music and culture, bringing together fans from all walks of life for an unforgettable experience. The event promises to be a highlight of the summer, showcasing an incredible lineup of artists, delicious food, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Planning for the 7th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest is already underway. As we reflect on the success of this past June’s festival, featuring unforgettable performances from John Brown’s Body, Sister Nancy, Pachyman, and more, the 2025 festival is set to be an even more magical experience.
In the spirit of celebration, there are a very limited number of Early Bird Tickets that are now available for purchase. As always, the Friday Welcome Party on June 20 is FREE for all attendees, and children under the age of 16 can join the festivities for FREE on Saturday, June 21, when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Don’t miss out on the chance to relive the magic of this incredible festival. With this beautiful thriving community, organizers can’t wait for you to celebrate at the 7th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest in Stewart Park in June, 2025
Days before the holidays, The Black Crowes brought their Happiness Bastards (The Reprise) tour to the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. The band held the second North American leg of the tour in support of their newest record, Happiness Bastards after Aerosmith canceled their own farewell tour.
While the band was out on the road, it was also announced that their previously mentioned record was nominated for a Grammy award. After a thrilling first night of music at The Capitol Theatre, the Black Crowes rode a massive high into night two.
Just like night one (Saturday, December 21! the low temperature kept most famous from camping outside and waiting for the doors to open. By the time the 6:30 p.m. door time did arrive, there were only about 15-20 people in line. Before the opening act, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, “the cap” filled up in the blink of an eye. Fans quickly flocked inside from their cars once the doors opened. If you walked in, you might have thought The Black Crowes were immediately going on stage. That’s how many people were packed inside.
By 8 p.m. the legendary George Porter Jr. walked on stage to begin his 45-minute set. Joining Porter Jr. was Michael Lemmler on keyboards and vocals, Chris Adkins on guitar and vocals and Terrence Houston on drums. The band played at most five or six songs that were infused with funk and jam.
In comparison to last night’s setlist, there was more of a jump in their songs. These tunes got the crowd dancing more. At one point in between songs, Porter Jr. dedicated a tune to a friend of his that recently passed. Halfway through the band’s set, The Black Crowes guitarist, Nico Bereciartua watched from the side to witness the legend.
Throughout the night, the band’s anchor, Houston was spectacular on the drums. It’s special when fans witness a drummer in a groove. No one could stop Houston, he brought his A-game with him. It’s easy to see why he calls himself the “groove guardian.” He has a great feel for the drums and for each song.
The stagehands were also at the top of their game. They quickly swapped out George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners’ gear and got prepared for The Black Crowes. It wasn’t long until AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” blasted at top volume across the PA system. In an instant, the house light flashed on and The Black Crowes started their 19-song set. The first tune played was the trilling “Bedside Manners” off Happiness Bastards.
The Capitol Theatre is a legendary venue and massive names have played there. It’s only fitting that the band close out their tour by playing a setlist perfectly balanced with deep cuts and fan favorites. In between favorites and rarities, the group sprinkled in a few new tunes for the Port Chester audience. It’s great when a band acknowledges their newest record instead of completely ignoring it. It didn’t take long for the band to jump into deep cuts as they played into “Exit.” This rarity only appears on their 2010 live record, Wiser For The Time.
The band features the two Robinson brothers, lead singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson. Joining them are Bereciartua on guitar, Sven Pipien on bass, Cully Symington on drums, and Erik Deutsch on keyboards. Rounding out the band were the amazingly talented Lesley Grant and Mackenzie Adams on background vocals. The dazzling singers’ dresses were made to look like Christmas trees. The dresses played great with Chris Robinson’s red suit, which put everyone in the holiday mood.
Throughout the night, Chris Robinson ran around the entire stage and did not leave one corner unlooked. On the other hand, his brother stuck to his side of the stage and offered a warm yet shy smile. It wasn’t until one of the last songs of the night that Rich Robinson crossed the invisible line to the middle of the stage to sing with Chris Robinson.
As the group crisscrossed through their discography, during “My Morning Song,” Chris Robinson showcased just how spectacular his voice is. He belted out bone-chilling lyrics that also included beautiful live harmonizations from Grant and Adams. “My Morning Song” was one of, if not the best song performed all night.
During each solo, Bereciartua looked calm and collected on his side of the stage. Each solo was played with emotion and each note was played with a purpose. Bereciartua and Rich Robinson have a strong bond that goes way back to Rich Robinson’s solo group post-Black Crowes split up. It was great to see Rich Robinson look over to Bereciartua and offer a smile or a nod.
With such a diverse discography, The Black Crowes covered a ton of eras in the two-hour span. At one point they got to “Thorn in My Pride” which appears off their Southern Harmony And Musical Companion record. The song was extended as Rich Robinson and Chris Robinson were going back and forth with each other to create a musical powerhouse. Chris Robinson would babble something into the mic which Rich Robinson would then inmate through a guitar riff. The Robinsons continued to play musical follow the leader. Only this time Chris Robinson swapped to a harmonia to carry the tune over the finish line.
Despite this being the last show of the tour, the band remained in high spirits throughout. During their rendition of “Jealous Again,” Chris Robinson blew a kiss to his wife, Camille Robinson, who was sitting in the upper balcony. During the chorus, you could feel the fans in the general admission section jumping in unison to the beat. Their singing was even more deafening than the amp setups behind the band.
As a little surprise, The Black Crowes gave a two-song encore instead of their usual one-song encore. But before they played a note, Chris Robinson publicly thanked all the members of the crew and the behind-the-scenes folks who make their rock and roll train run. It was an extremely classy move by “The Crowes” frontman. The band closed out their tour by playing the festive “Run Run Rudolph” before taking their final bows of the night.
The next time that The Black Crowes run through New York, you have to go see them. Their drive to put on good shows is palpable and they feed off the energy from their loyal fans. The Robinson brothers have done an excellent job at keeping the rock and roll fire going in their historic career. Do yourself a favor and see one of the best rock bands still touring, they’ll leave you with unforgettable memories.
George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners setlist: Out The Box, Stretch Your Rubberband, All We Wanna Do (Porter Batiste Stolz cover), Cabbage Alley, No More Okey Doke, They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover), Ain’t No Use
The Black Crowes’ setlist: Bedside Manners, Rats and Clowns, Think n’ Thin, Go Tell The Congregation, Exit, Rocks Off (The Rolling Stones cover), My Morning Song, Seeing Things, Hard to Handle (Otis Redding cover), Soul Singing, Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ (The Velvet Underground cover), Thorn in My Pride, Flesh Wound, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (The Undisputed Truth cover), Wilted Rose, Jealous Again, Remedy, Torn and Frayed (The Rolling Stones cover), Run Run Rudolph (Chuck Berry cover)
The latest episode of Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar City, marks the 201st anniversary of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore.
The favorite holiday tale was first published in The Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823 as a poem. It would later go on to shape modern conceptions of Santa Claus and many familiar holiday traditions.
The episode features guest Kathy Sheehan—Executive Director of the Hart Cluett Museum and historian for Troy and Rensselaer County—who explains the story behind the iconic “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and its place as American holiday lore, the more recent debate over authorship, and the poem’s more than two-century connection to the Collar City.
Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar City is a monthly oral history podcast produced and hosted by John Salka—longtime Troy resident and former Communications Director for the city of Troy and advisor for two mayors.
With this, Creative Entertainment Group (CEG)Â has announced the initial lineup of pre and post-shows for each date with more announcements to come.
CEG has also shared that $1 of each ticket will be donated to Phishâs WaterWheel Foundation.
Dec. 28 – Steely Dead, Neighbor
Steely Dead will be playing both a pre-party at 4 pm and an after-party at 11:55 pm at the Hill Country. The price is $25 per person and pre-party and after-party tickets are sold separately. The Steely Dan and Grateful Dead cover band began in Denver, Colorado and is now a national touring band. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Neighbor will be playing a live after-party at the Cutting Room from 11:55 on through the night. The band has a diverse catalog of hundreds of songs that brings elements of Americana, Funk, Rock, Jazz, Soul, and more. Tickets are $25 per person and the event is 21+. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Dec. 29 – Space Bacon, Near Dead Experience
The Near Dead Experience is a Brooklyn-based Grateful Dead cover band, fronted by a group of musicians who connected on Reddit. They will play a Phish pre-party hosted at the Hill Country Live. Doors open at 3 pm, and the show starts at 4 pm. Tickets are $24.90 and the event is open to all ages. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The Brooklyn-based future jam quartet Space Bacon will play live at the Hill Country from 11:55 pm through the night. Tickets are $20 for tier 1 which includes general admission and $25 for tier 2 which includes DOS. This event is 21+. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Dec. 29 & 30 – Medeski, Martin, Metzger & Cline
For two nights the supergroup of Medeski, Martin, Metzger & Cline, will play the after-party at the Sony Hall starting at 11:59 pm. John Medeski and Billy Martin of Medeski Martin & Wood will be joined by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist Scott Metzger and Wilco’s guitarist Nels Cline. The group first performed together in 2019 on Dec. 28 then again in 2023 on Dec. 30 and now for the first time, they will play two nights.
The price is $45 a ticket for standing room and $65 for VIP reserved seating. Purchase tickets for Dec. 29 here and Dec. 30 here.
Dec. 31 – Funk Sauce Dance Party, Tad Cautious, Shakedown Citi
Grateful Dead cover band, Shakedown Citi, channels the spirit and energy of the Dead without trying to copy them. They will perform a pre-show for the NYE Phish concert at Hill Country Live, beginning at 4 pm. Tickets are $24.90 and the event is open to all ages. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Host on Sirius XM’s Phish Radio, Tad Cautious, will be joined by friends Ari Fink, DJ Blender and DJ Cooley, to perform at the NYE post-party. Doors open at 11:30 and the show will go until 4 am on Dec. 31 at the Hill Country Live. Tickets start at $28 and the event is open to all ages. Purchase tickets here.
Closing out the four nights of Phish after-parties is the Funk Sauce Dance Party hosted by dj AF (Ari Fink) & Tad Cautious with DJ Cooley and the mysterious DJ Blender. From 1 am to 4 am, the Senior Director of music programming at SiriusXM, and host of The Bunny on SiriusXM, will make you party into the new year. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
On December 20, 2019, Marky Ramone brought his Holiday Blitzkrieg show to Gramercy Theatre in New York City. Marky was the drummer for The Ramones for 15 years after replacing Tommy Ramone in 1978. He played on nine of the band’s 15 albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
The group (Marky on drums, Pela on lead vocals, Martin Blitz on bass and Marcelo Gallo on guitar) played more than 30 Ramones hits including “Do you Wanna Dance,” “53rd and 3rd,” “Beat on the Brat” and of course “Blitzkrieg Bop.” They also played covers that The Ramones made popular to punk culture including Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have you Ever Seen the Rain” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
Punk Rock started in New York City in the 1970s, and it remains very clear that these songs are timeless judging by the crowd getting revved up. Bodies were slamming into each other relentlessly from the start of the first song until the very end of the show. Although the songs are over 40 years old, the music is still very much alive and continues to attract new fans from the younger generation.
Unfortunately this years show could’t happen due to COVID-19 but hopefully it will return in 2021
Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg, Gramercy Theatre, NY, NY 12/20/19
Setlist: Do You Wanna Dance, Teenage Lobotomy, Rockaway Beach, I Don’t Care, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, Havana Affair, Commando, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, Beat On The Brat, 53rd and 3rd, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment, Rock N Roll High School, Oh Oh I Love Her So, Let’s Dance, Surfin Bird, Judy Is A Punk, I Believe In Miracles, The KKK Took My Baby Away, Pet Sematary, Chinese Rocks, I Wanna Be Sedated, Do You Remember Rock N Roll Radio?, I Just Want To Have Something To Do, Needles And Pins, Loudmouth, Pinhead, Happy Birthday To You, Palisades Park, Glad To See You, Cretin Hop, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Don’t Come Close, I Can’t Make It On Time, Life’s A Gas, She’s The One, Spider Man, Anxiety
Encore: R.A.M.O.N.E.S., What A Wonderful World, Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight), Blitzkrieg Bop
New York City’s own Joy Buzzer released their debut album, Pleased to Meet You for Wicked Cool Records on October 25th. Recorded in the heart of New York City, the LP boasts 10 tracks that clock in at just over 30 minutes. Pleased to Meet You is defined by the power-pop songwriting of Jed Becker, sending the listener on a blast to the past through a fresh lens.
Formed in 2021, Joy Buzzer is a collaborative project merging the minds of The Lord Calverts and The Doppel Gang. The band consists of Jed Becker and KG Noble on guitars, Nick DeMatteo on bass, Mark Brotter on drums, and Kevin Lydon on lead vocals. This release welcomes the return of Lydon, and features guitarist Askold Buk, who helped produce the record alongside Becker. Half of the record was mixed by Grammy and Emmy award winning mixer, engineer and producer Carl Glanville. The remaining tracks were produced by Eber Pineiro.
Photo by Nancy Adler
Pleased to Meet You is front to back catchy hooks and tasteful lead guitar lines. The band references artists like Fountains of Wayne, XTC, and Todd Rundgren as their source of songwriting inspiration. Tackling themes of introspection and relationships, Joy Buzzer’s arrangements and harmonies showcase their unique voice and individualized perspective, all while staying true to the genre. The musical chemistry between each member is on full display for this release.
Well-crafted synthesizer and guitar solos, alongside memorable choruses fuse rock and pop influence to create the undeniable sound that is Joy Buzzer. When commenting on the album, the band says it’s a “bold, declarative statement of [their] intention to deliver super high-energy songs, with witty lyrics and huge hooks.”
Pleased to Meet You is currently available on all streaming services here. Find out more about Joy Buzzer and support them directly at joybuzzerband.com
