NYS Music 2024

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  • Cosby Gibson Releases Poetically Whimsical Album “The Hollow Crown”

    Singer-songwriter Cosby Gibson has returned for her seventh album, the poetic and wonderfully whimsical The Hollow Crown.

    Cosby Gibson Releases Poetically Whimsical Album "The Hollow Crown"

    Hailing from near the Adirondacks, Cosby Gibson is a singer-songwriter who specializes in unique and original folk-style songs on guitar and dulcimer. With multiple Capital District Music awards among many other trophies on her shelf, she spins whimsical tales on life in all of its aspects- the beautiful and the less than so.

    Returning for her seventh album, Gibson has released The Hollow Crown– an album capturing the chase for something empty that she aptly dubs a “hollow crown”- something ultimately fruitless or unimportant. 

    At its core, however, the album tackles what is worth one’s time- remembering. Remembering the good, to remind oneself of the foundation you stand upon, and the bad to untangle the brambles of negative emotion.

    Entwined with a sense of the magical between Gibson’s gentle vocals, deft acoustic guitar, and vivid lyricism, tracks like “In This Kind of Rain” and “Asking The Lilies” craft a sense of imagined adventure through the woods, pondering the complications of meanings of life while observing babbling brooks or blooming flowers.

    Imagery is also rich in “Spinning in Spirals,” a song full of roses and sparkles and a sense of excited wanderlust, which is contrasted in the vulnerable and insightful “What’s Happening Is You” that decides that lyrical honesty is best for the frank conversation being had.

    Wonderfully poetic and positively teeming with flora and fauna, The Hollow Crown is a beautifully crafted collection of tracks that balance emotional honesty with the whimsical. The full album is available now both in digital and physical format through Gibson’s Bandcamp page here.

    To learn more about Cosby Gibson, listen to more of her work and The Hollow Crown, and keep up with all of her latest endeavors, be sure to explore her official website here.

  • Ecce Shnak Releases Pensive Track Prayer on Love

    New York City-based outfit Ecce Shnak has released their latest single off of their forthcoming EP titled Prayer on Love, meditating on the complexity of the word and all of its implications.

    Subverting all concepts of genre and style while playfully embracing the full spectrum of sonic opportunities, Ecce Shnak is truly a one of a kind band. Based in New York City, their art-rock endeavors span pop, classical, punk, and beyond as they tackle the wide variety of ideas that capture their interests most.

    Debuting in 2019 with Joke Oso with their second album Metamorphejawns soon to follow, Ecce Shnak has returned with the second pre-release single off of their latest project Shadows Grow Fangs.

    Self-described as their most “whole-grain rock song to date,” “Prayer on Love” considers the concept of love in contrast to the conclusions drawn by today’s society. 

    Richly textured with guitars, snare drums, and distinct vocals, the track explores their ruminations on the topic above the group’s signature sound that subverts notions of style and is simply overflowing with dedicated creative care and complexity. 

    “It’s a meditation on the nature of love and its diverse manifestations. It honors the complexity of love without declaring that it ‘is all we need.”

    – David Roush, frontman of Ecce Shnak

    Defining love as not a singular necessity but a beautiful, intangible entity that coexists with the countless other aspects of life and in turn only making the others more precious, “Prayer on Love” is an entrancing contemplation whose deft lyricism lends itself to a rather poetic track at large.

    Ecce Shnak has also published an official music video for “Prayer on Love” alongside the track’s release, featuring the members exploring their ruminations among a field of flowers and various eye-catching psychedelic visuals.

    “Prayer on Love” is one of five tracks slated for release on the band’s upcoming EP Shadows Grow Fangs, which will reach the public on February 7.

    For more information on their current endeavors, the upcoming Shadows Grow Fangs, and all things Ecce Shnak, be sure to check out their official social media pages here and here.

  • Nelly Announces 2 NY Shows in “Where The Party At” Tour

    Music superstar Nelly will hit the road in 2025 with his “Where The Party At Tour.” The tour will celebrate the 25 anniversary of Nelly’s debut studio album, Country Grammar and includes dates at the Darien Lake Amphitheater in Buffalo on Aug. 1, and Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Jul. 27.

    Nelly

    Known for iconic 2000’s hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” Nelly will perform his catalog across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States in 54 shows in the “Where The Party At Tour.” The tour will marks Nelly’s return to headlining following his success as a special guest for Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour.

    An incredible lineup of special guests will accompany Nelly across the various legs of the tour. Fans can look forward to electric performances from collaborators and friends such as Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, Chingy and Additional surprise guests.

    The show will take fans on a journey through Nelly’s career, including chart-topping hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Ride wit Me.” Known for his larger-than-life personality and ability to bridge genres from hip-hop to country. Nelly promises a show packed with surprises.

    Learn more and purchase tickets here.

    “Where The Party At Tour” U.S. Dates:

    Jul. 23 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live  

    Jul. 25 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach  

    Jul. 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center  

    Jul. 27 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

    Jul. 31 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage  

    Aug. 01 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater  

    Aug. 02 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre^  

    Aug. 03 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center  

    Aug. 05 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center  

    Aug. 06 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest*~

    Aug. 08 – Oshkosh, QI – Crossroads 41 Festival*~

    Aug. 09 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre  

    Aug. 10 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center  

    Aug. 13 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre  

    Aug. 14 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center 

    Aug. 16 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre*^ 

    Aug. 22 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord  

    Aug. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome  

    Aug. 27 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Aug. 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre  

    Sep. 04 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman^ 

    Sep. 05 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion  

    Sep. 06 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre*#

    Sep. 09 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre  

    Sep. 12 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre  

    Sep. 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park

    Sep. 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion  

    Sep. 16 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater  

    Sep. 18 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater 

    Sep. 19 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena 

  • Canella Breaks Silence With Latest Single Titled Groomer

    Albany indie-rock band Canella has released their latest single titled “Groomer,” a powerful track of resiliency and reclamation.

    Based in and frequently performing throughout Albany, Canella is rooted in a shared love of creation. Written acoustically by lead singer and songwriter Juliana Castrillón, members Joe Taurone, Gabe Klingler-Horn, and Dan Carr expand each and every track to whatever extent they feel- whether that results in a song meant to make you laugh, or a track that’ll bring you to tears.

    Having released their debut album Can’t Make You Smile in 2023, Canella has returned with the second pre-release single off of their upcoming EP The Snake, the deeply personal and intense “Groomer.”

    Penned after a turning point in Castrillón’s life, “Groomer” encapsulates the intense and complex emotions felt after she reconnected with a former music teacher from her adolescence, consequently uncovering an uncomfortable truth about her past.

    With her perspective altered, Juliana was caught in a limbo of deep depression and months of silence. Unable to put the storm of emotion to paper, Castrillón would not be able to write again until 2024, driven by a mix of fear, anger, and shame.

    Now, after years of processing and healing and in the wake of the 2024 election, Juliana is not only ready to share her story but is determined to do so in a show of reclamation, solidarity, and support.

    “I didn’t realize how much I had blamed myself for being a victim of abuse,” says Juliana. “Now, taking back my story and sharing it is a crucial part of healing—taking my power back and feeling finally free and not alone.”

    – Juliana Castrillón

    “Groomer” is heavy, gritty, and full of sharp emotion. It’s always awe-inspiring to hear tracks full of pure emotion, but this track takes it to another level. The rage, disgust, betrayal, and defiance can all be felt palpably, an all-consuming experience with cutting vocals and aggressive instrumentals where words fail- perhaps the kind of all-encompassing emotion that can only be communicated through sound.

    The track concludes with a powerful moment of pure guitar, drums, and bass- the kind of music felt down to the bones. “Groomer,” is a rallying cry just as much as it is a moment of emotional release. Intense, emotive, and guttural, Canella’s latest release is a striking example of shaping one’s darkest moments into something relentless. 

    Canella will be gracing the stage of No Fun in Troy on December 20 to celebrate the release along with support by Tula Vera and Rat Motel. Tickets are priced at $10 and are available here.

    For more information on Canella, their upcoming EP, and all other future endeavors, be sure to check out their official website here.

  • Ginger Winn Releases Single In Honor of John Lennon

    Hudson Valley singer-songwriter Ginger Winn has released her newest single in honor of musical icon John Lennon, “Dear John.”

    Based in the Hudson Valley, Ginger Winn is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who was launched into the spotlight after a captivating performance at Woodstock Way Hotel.

    Since this fateful performance, Winn’s folk-tinged guitar and melancholy-tinted vocals have captivated folks across the Hudson Valley and beyond- eventually resulting in a gig touring the west coast alongside Gipsy Kings.

    Released earlier this year, Winn debuted with Stop-Motion, a ten track album that quickly set the tone for Ginger’s career as a promising one.

    Returning with her latest work, Winn has released “Dear John,” a heartfelt single dedicated to John Lennon that was published on the anniversary of his untimely passing; a crestfallen letter to a hero she’ll never have the opportunity to meet.

    “John Lennon has inspired me from an early age. I remember being about 12 and buying a magazine that told his life story. It taught me a lot about being an artist, following the path you feel is right, and making sure that path leads you to a destination that is best for you, which I’ve used as a guiding light in my journey. He’s a true creative who did whatever he wanted to do, no matter the consequences.”

    – Ginger Winn

    Co-written with Matthew Baione, co-founder of Keep Good Company Records, “Dear John” has its roots in Paul Goresh’s images capturing Lennon’s interaction with Mark David Chapman, Chapman’s manifesto, the moment in the Imagine documentary where John invites the stalkers on his property in for tea, and the famous image of Pope John Paul II forgiving his would-be assassin. 

    “The song is as beautiful as it is tragic and John has always been an inspiration; we share a birthday and I’ve always admired his audacity, creativity, search for interconnectivity in society, and his attempts at leading with love, especially near his life’s end. He was a dreamer.”

    – Matthew Baione

    Following this release, Winn will be performing “Dear John” and other works of hers live at two upcoming shows in New York City. She’ll be gracing the stage of the Bowery Electric on December 29, and Arlene’s Grocery on January 29.

    For more information on these shows, Winn’s previous works, and to keep up with all of her future endeavors, be sure to visit her official website here.

  • Olivia Reid Releases Nostalgically Heartfelt Single Quite Simple 

    New York City-based singer-songwriter Olivia Reid has released her latest work in the form of the beautifully nostalgic “Quite Simple”.

    A singer-songwriter who’s been putting her proverbial musical pen to paper since just six years old, Olivia Reid’s indie folk anthems contain an undeniable yet intangible touch of vibrant humanity. 

    Capturing the human experience in all of its forms, Reid and her guitar formally debuted in her 2021 EP Earth Water. Since then, Olivia’s work has caught the attention of many through its appearances on television shows in the likes of Love Island Australia and several official streaming service playlists.

    Returning for her latest release, Reid has decided to channel hopeful optimism into the single “Quite Simple” in the face of personal and global strife. Inspired by her strong relationship with and gratitude for her grandparents who have recently passed, Olivia reflects upon the wisdom granted by her elders and the inherent wisdom and fondness for life that comes with age and a retrospective understanding of life.

    Through a nostalgically woven sonic soundscape and storytelling-style lyrics, Reid walks listeners through an enlightening conversation with an older man that reframes her entire understanding of the world, especially in the face of the busy mindset so many share today- life is, in fact, “Quite Simple.”

    “In old age, it seems there’s so much to look back on fondly and so many experiences that you don’t even know are ahead of you. I wanted to write a song that gives people my age some optimism. We’ve got time.”

    – Olivia Reid

    Curating a beautifully nostalgic ambiance with its guitar plucking, vocal layering, and warm outro, “Quite Simple” captures the beauty found in taking life in the slow lane while also giving a nod to the kind of perspective on life that comes with age and wisdom.

    To learn more about “Quite Simple,” her future endeavors, and all things Olivia Reid, be sure to check out her official website here.

  • Bronx Music Heritage Center Presents Annual Melrose Parranda

    The Bronx Music Heritage Center has announced their 10th annual Melrose Parranda, a musical Puerto Rican holiday procession, for December 21.

    Developed as a performance venue and community cultural center, the Bronx Music Hall is dedicated to cultivating and showcasing the vibrant music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary arts of the borough.

    With a 250-person performance theater, grand lobby and exhibit hall, rehearsal rooms and classrooms, and an outdoor amphitheater and plaza, the space of the Bronx Music Hall is as versatile as the creatives it hosts.

    In addition to creations of the modern day, the BMH acts as the permanent home for the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco)’s Bronx Music Heritage Center, which preserves and promotes the history of the artists of the Bronx while simultaneously cultivating the creatives of today.

    Among the Center’s vast collection of events is their time honored Melrose Parranda. Rooted in the Puerto Rican caroling tradition, folks participating in the festivities can expect to join the parade led by members of the Bronx music and cultural community including Jorge Vásquez, Matthew Gonzales, and Bobby Sanabria.

    Each stop along the parranda will feature a different casita reminiscent of the homes on the countryside of Puerto Rico, winding through the Melrose Commons and community gardens before concluding at “La Casita de Chema,” or Rincón Criollo Centro Cultural, a casita renowned for its musical legacy.

    Now in its tenth year of tradition, the parranda will feature a set of new businesses incorporated within the route in addition to its routine program booklet with information on the traditions and lyrics on some of the songs to be sung during the night of festivities.

    The tenth annual Melrose Holiday Parranda will be hosted on Saturday, December 21. This event is completely free and open to the public. To RSVP and learn more, check out the event’s page here.

    To learn more about the Bronx Music Heritage Center, the Bronx Music Hall, and their calendar of events, be sure to visit the space’s official website here.

  • Skeleton Krewe Trio Announces Debut Tour, Two Shows In NY

    A tour-de-force combination of acclaimed jam band artists, the Skeleton Krewe Trio composed of Rob Barraco, Barry Sless, and Stephen Inglis have announced their debut tour along the east coast, including dates in Williamsburg and Woodstock.

    Born from what was intended to be a one-off performance partnership, the Skeleton Krewe Trio is possibly one of the most exciting collaborations of today’s jam band scene. 

    Comprised of Rob Barraco of Dark Star Orchestra, Phil Lesh & Friends, and The Dead, Barry Sless of Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, David Nelson Band, and Phil Lesh and Friends, and the GRAMMY-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitarist Stephen Inglis, the Skeleton Krewe is a set of individually talented artists whose skills, distinct backgrounds, and natural musical connection culminate in a sound definitively their own.

    In an exciting development, the Skeleton Krewe Trio has announced their debut tour across the east coast, including nights at the Brooklyn Bowl on February 22 and the Bearsville Theater on February 28.

    In addition to their own talents, the unit will expand to a quintet for two nights with the addition of Barraco’s DSO bandmate Skip Vangelas on bass and his son Tom Barraco on drums- one of which includes the Brooklyn Bowl.

    “This collaboration represents a unique moment in time where three distinct musical paths converge. We’re creating something entirely new while honoring the traditions we each bring to the table.” 

    – Rob Barraco

    The Skeleton Krewe Trio’s debut tour promises a variety of sounds spanning original compositions, interpretations of works by the Grateful Dead, and dynamic improvisations that span genres from traditional Hawaiian to psychedelic Americana.

    Tickets for the Trio’s tour are on sale now. For more information on the tour and the Skeleton Krewe Trio as well as ticketing information, visit their official page here.

    The full list of tour dates are available below.

    TOUR DATES

    Feb. 20 • The Hamilton  • Washington, DC

    Feb. 21 • 118 North • Wayne, PA

    Feb. 22 • Brooklyn Bowl • Williamsburg, NY

    Feb. 23 • Newton Theatre • Newton, NJ

    Feb. 24 • Rams Head On Stage • Annapolis, MD

    Feb. 26 • Space Ballroom • Hamden, CT

    Feb. 27 • Portland House of Music & Events • Portland, ME

    Feb. 28 • Bearsville Theater • Woodstock, NY

    Mar. 1 • Narrows Center for the Arts • Fall River, MA

    Mar. 2 • Iron Horse • Northampton, MA

  • Ian McCuen Releases Scathingly Topical Album

    Buffalo based singer-songwriter Ian McCuen has returned with their latest release, the utterly emphatic and scathingly topical As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls. 

    ian mccuen

    Buffalo-based Ian McCuen has been wowing listeners since 2017 with the release of their debut album Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. I, the next two installations following in 2019.  

    A master of the soundscape, McCuen is no stranger to telling tales with their musical skill- which is a strength that lends itself perfectly to their latest release, the 22-track album As the Oceans Rise and the Empires Fall.

    Utterly cinematic, As the Oceans Rise and the Empires Fall pulls listeners through each and every notion of emotion with an admirable span of instrumentation, tracks full of lyricism and others left purely instrumental- all-encompassing in an admirable and awe-inspiring critique on the state of the United States and its politics today.

    “A Fairy Tale for the Obedient” makes deft use of the Omnichord, drawing upon sounds of whimsy and childhood nostalgia alongside haunting horns which carry directly into the simmering brush percussions and foreboding baselines of the instrumental “Indoctrinated, Propagandized.”

    The omnichord returns in “I Don’t Know What Will Kill Us First,” this time taking on an undertone of grimness as McCuen ponders which environmental disaster will be the one to finally do us all in over the sounds of acoustic guitar and later horns, which have evolved into a sound almost funerary in sentiment.

    “The Intermission” and “The Underture,” unsurprisingly enough mark the midpoint of the album, at which point McCuen takes the time to remind you that as much as their lyrical pieces stun, soundscapes are well within their wheelhouse too.

    “Fear & Loathing (in the Home of the Brave),” while certainly not subtle in its messaging, makes a staunch statement regardless. McCuen pulls no punches in critiquing the hypocrisy found in defending the status quo blindly and existing in fear of anything new without interrogating the reason as to why either of those reactions were elicited- as they conclude, “in the home of the brave, it’s all we’ve got.”

    They lean fully into the ominous for “A Ghost Story for the Sheltered,” telling a horrifying story of some untold monster that’s sweeping through your town, hunting you down- a haunting parallel to the paranoia kicked up and experienced by the “Sheltered” of America and a striking narrative on fear-mongering and its consequences.

    “Death Is a Business and Sales Are Up” is not only incredibly topical but stunningly produced- headphones are highly recommended for this track, as the panning utilized creates an all-encompassing listening experience that’s practically impossible to pause.

    The final lyrical track “A Swan Song for Quittin’ Time” feels like a conclusion in every sense of the word. Featuring a line that became the album’s title, this track feels simultaneously hopeful and hopeless, as McCuen struggles to come to terms with the state of the world- even for those with so much fight in them, there comes a point where the draw of nihilistic acceptance is unavoidable. 

    The song concludes in an anthemic culmination of all of the album’s instrumentation as McCuen accepts the state of the world as one full of strife and struggle, yet finding a determination to go on in the hope for a better future, they sing “just in case, stick around for the encore.”

    There’s a certain cognitive dissonance to Ian’s work- if you let yourself be distracted by their calming vocals or gentle instrumentation, you may just miss their scathing critiques on today’s society. Haunting, scathing, and effortlessly engaging, As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls captures the full range of emotions felt within and in critique of the United States today.

    To learn about Ian McCuen’s past work, more about As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls, and all of their future endeavors, be sure to keep up with them on their official Instagram page here.

  • J.D. Parran and Andrew Drury To Host Venue UNinauguration at Assisted Living

    Musicians J.D. Parran and Andrew Drury have announced new roles as event curators along with a collaborative opening project at Assisted Living, a new art space in Newburgh.

    assisted living

    Both renowned musicians and collaborators in their own rights, J.D. Parran and Andrew Drury share expansive musical careers.

    Among many things, Drury is a soloist, lead for the Content Provider quartet and other large ensembles, producer of audio and video works, a musical collaborator across all swaths of sounds, and a musical educator. 

    He’s presented over 130 concerts as a part of his Soup & Sound series in his home in Brooklyn and in adjacent neighborhoods, and is the co-founder of the non-profit Continuum Culture & Arts. In addition to work in his own neck of the woods, Drury has given masterclasses in 20 universities across three continents and has led over 1,500 workshops in schools, prisons, museums, homeless shelters, and more. 

    J.D. Parran shares a similar love for music in all forms- composing, collaborating, and educating. Having mastered a wide variety of woodwind instruments, Parran has appeared on over 50 recordings over the past three decades including collaborations with John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Yoko Ono, and more. 

    In addition to his purely musical endeavors, Parran is also a veteran educator who gives lectures at City University of New York and teaches the clarinet and saxophone at Harlem School for the Arts.

    He has also been commissioned as a composer by the likes of the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Helen W. Buckner Foundation.

    Hosted in the Assisted Living art space situated just behind the brand new Untouchable Bar, Drury and Parran will be collaborating in an event dubbed an “UNinauguration.”

    “Part riot, part manifestation, part protest, part prayer: two celebrated stalwarts of creative music share good musical medicine on the grim occasion of the 2025 presidential inauguration. Indeed this is an UNinauguration. J. D. Parran and Andrew Drury will play a panoply of instruments from around the world in addition to bass saxophone, alto clarinet, flutes, and drums. Parran led an unInauguration mini-tour with a quartet in 2017. For 2025 he joins forces with his frequent collaborator Drury.”

    Featuring the powerful combination of two skilled individuals, the UNinauguration of Assisted Living will not be one to miss. The pair will perform this exciting event on Friday, January 17 at 9:00 PM with a requested donation of $10.

    For more information on the event and the space’s adjacent bar, visit Untouchable’s official Instagram page here.