Rochester-based alt-pop artist Boy Jr. will release a new single titled “Still Be Friends” on August 7th. This single comes in the leadup to Boy Jr.’s third LP I Love Getting Dumped releasing in late 2024.
Boy Jr. is the musical project of Ariel Allen-Lubman from Rochester. Lubman has used their professional musical training to make a versatile, genre-crossing brand of DIY pop. Through a mix of bedroom pop, indie, and hyperpop, Boy Jr. creates a sound that is equally experimental and catchy.
Boy Jr. emerged onto the music scene with their 2020 debut Starter Pack. Lo-Fi rock tracks like “Just Wanna Go To Bed” drive the album. On these tracks, Boy Jr. took Strokes-esque indie rock and infused it with youthful oddball energy. The album also features Allen-Lubman’s takes on some classic tracks. Standout covers include a distorted electronic version of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and a downtempo minimalist take on the Strokes’ “Last Nite.”
Their second album Pay Attention to Mee marked a drastic change in sound. On this record, Boy Jr. leaned more heavily into pop and electronic elements. Bubbly synths and a groovy bass line propel standout track “Meet Me In The Middle.” Despite these new pop flourishes, the record still retains some of the distorted edge of Boy Jr.’s debut. As their first two records show, Boy Jr. defies genre, and makes music that could only be defined as … well Boy Jr.
Just prior to their new release, Boy Jr. released their album’s lead single “Bullying Myself.” The track continues Boy Jr’s trend of musical experimentation, blending a funky bassline with hyperpop synths throughout. These elements help back up Allen-Lubman’s vocals discussing being too hard on yourself. They sing on the pre chorus “I’ve been bullying myself. Think I need a little help. I’ve become my own worst enemy.”
“This is a song to listen to when you are fed up with how mean you’ve been treating yourself. I find myself repeating a lot of the same unkind thoughts when I’m going through something, but if anyone ever said these things to me or a friend, I’d be pissed! So instead of letting it rot on the inside, I’m airing it out and releasing it outside.”
– Boy Jr.
Instrumental flourishes build on these lyrics making the track a true alt-pop anthem. Whether it’s the group vocals during the chorus, or distorted staccato guitar solo immediately after, each new element aids in the song’s atmosphere. With other artists, the disparate musical elements might sound out of place, but for Boy Jr., they feel surprisingly natural. One standout part of the track is the electronic breakdown towards the end, with the track growing more and more distorted. This pop experimentation recalls some of the greatest albums of the decade, like Charli XCX’s How I’m Feeling Now.
Boy Jr. has returned following the June 26th release of “Bullying Myself,” with their second single, titled “Still Be Friends.” This track is much more toned down than its predecessor, building off a repeated electronic loop. This loop, while relaxed, is still engaging, with snappy percussion and a groovy electronic bassline driving the track forward. Boy Jr. continues their lyrical explorations on this track, discussing the aftermath of a relationship.
Unlike many songs discussing the topic, Boy Jr. acknowledges that they were the bad guy in the situation. They sing “I crushed all your trust, pulverized your hopes into dust, but I hope we can still be friends.” The track grows increasingly satirical, with the narrator’s wrongdoings getting more and more severe. The reasons for the breakup turn into crashing a car into an ex’s house and stealing their money, making the plea to be friends more ridiculous. In all this track is really catchy, and uses its satirical lyrics to strip down the complicated topic of breaking up with someone.
These tracks come in the leadup to Boy Jr.’s new album I Love Getting Dumped, which will release in late 2024. For more information on Boy Jr. and their releases, visit their Bandcamp here.
While the origin of Phish is firmly rooted in Vermont, the band’s history in neighboring New York runs almost as deep. The band made the slow and natural progression from private parties and gigs at frat houses, to small clubs and theaters, later graduating to full scale amphitheaters, to now selling out Madison Square Garden on a regular basis. Phish may have been born and raised in the Green Mountain State, but its more recent history is firmly entrenched in the Empire State.
photo by Dave Decrescente
It took a few years after the band’s inception, but Phish finally waded into New York waters in 1987 with a now-legendary show at Ian McLean’s Farm in Hebron, NY on August 21, 1987 with three sets of music that included the first known performance of their cover of “Hold Your Head Up.” Phish would continue to make New York a regular part of their touring schedule in the early ’90s, with 1992 featuring more NY shows than any other year to date.
Lower show totals would follow in the late ’90s and early aughts as the band started to tour globally and play shows all throughout the country. But the “3.0” era of Phish has seen an influx of NY shows, primarily due to the renovations done to Madison Square Garden which has made The World’s Most Famous Arena the band’s preferred choice for multiple night New Year’s Eve runs. And the modern day pinnacle was set in 2017 with Phish’s legendary Baker’s Dozen Run of thirteen shows over three weeks which served as the foundation for “17 (shows) in ’17” at MSG which also included a 4-night New Year’s run.
In 2023, Phish came fairly close to matching this number with 14 shows spread throughout New York State which included another 11 at MSG. To date, Phish has played 288 total shows in The Empire State, so NY show #300 is certainly on the horizon.
Photo via Marshall Chasan, frame via phrames.com
To showcase this long-standing and still evolving relationship between Phish and New York, NYS Music presents our own reference guide, a map of every show the band has played in the Empire State. In the same vein as our Grateful Dead Map, this will link to each and every article published here with our own take on the show or appearance.
Big thanks to Alex Grosby of the Phishsonian Institute for helping us map out all of the New York venues and locations you see below.
The Great New York State Fair 2024 initial lineup of concerts has been announced, featuring a mix of new and old and a little bit for everybody. The fair begins Wednesday, Aug. 21 and continues through Monday, Sept. 2.
Founded in 1832 by a group of local farmers for agriculture and local fairs, The Great New York State Fair became a musical showcase in the 1950s and 1960s. A variety of artists perform at the fair, including popular and up-and-comers. Last year, Salt-N-Pepa, Chubby Checker, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, The Fray, Joywave, and more appeared. Both stages are free with the price of admission.
2024 New York State Fair Concerts
photo by Allison Marie
Chevy Court Stage
Chubby Checker- Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.
Chubby Checker will be making his sixth performance at the Fair, and third in as many years. He is best known for “The Twist,” the first number-one song of all time from Billboard’s Hot 100, but also for releasing hits throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond with “The Hucklebuck,” “Slow Twistin’,” “Limbo Rock,” and more. In 2014 he was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. Checker is set to take the Chevy Court Stage at 1:00 p.m.
90s Rewind: Digital Underground, Tone Loc & Color Me Bad – Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.
To celebrate the fair’s opening day, a 90s rewind concert will take audiences back in time with music from 3 classic acts. Grammy-nominated group Digital Underground will kick off the event, playing hits like “The Humpty Dance” and “Kiss U Back.” Led by rapper Money-B, the group rose to stardom, incorporating elements of 70s funk into their hip-hop stylings. Their early output, including the track “I Get Around,” helped introduce the world to former member and rap legend Tupac Shakur.
Also included is 80s rap legend Tone-Loc. Known for mega hits “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina,” Tone-Loc was one of the original stars of Hip Hop. His debut Loc-ed After Darkreached no. 1 and has since been certified 2x platinum. Tone-Loc is also known for his acting, being featured in hit films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Closing out this lineup is the classic 90s R&B group Color Me Badd. Together the group has sold 12 million records worldwide, with nine top 40 singles. Color Me Badd are best known for their two no. 1 singles, “I Adore Mi Amor” and “All 4 Love.” Since their breakout, they have been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, won two Soul Train Awards, and an American Music Award.
Ace Frehley – Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
Rock legend Ace Frehley rose to fame as the guitarist of KISS. Raised in the Bronx, Frehley was drawn to the guitar, founding KISS in 1973. His powerful riffs and solos on tracks like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City” played a large part in propelling KISS to rock stardom. In 2014 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Frehley as a member of KISS, with Guitar World magazine since ranking him the 15th greatest metal guitarist of all time.
Sophie B. Hawkins- Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.
American pop legend and Native New Yorker Sophie B. Hawkins is a dynamic creative force known for a spellbinding live show. Hawkins’ appearance at The Fair is part of her tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of her platinum-selling debut album, Tongues and Tails. The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter/musician will showcase music from her well-received recently released album, Free Yourself, featuring an original new video and the single, “Love Yourself.” She challenged the norms of gender expression and sexual orientation at a time when political, social, and sexual labels were more rigid. Her career arc includes releasing six widely beloved albums, breaking chart records with her smash hit “As I Lay Me Down,” four worldwide singles from Whaler, songs in cultural touchstone TV shows and films, and a starring role as Janis Joplin in the critically acclaimed musical Room 105.
Sister Sledge- Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
Hailing from Philadelphia, the Sledge sisters became household names and a symbol of unity with their 1979 worldwide hit and iconic album We Are Family. The legendary vocal group is responsible for some of the biggest dance anthems like “Lost in Music,” “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” and “Thinking of You.”
Sister Sledge has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. They have also performed at the White House, and even before Pope Francis during the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, the family group has amassed a string of Gold and Platinum hits and earned hundreds of awards and commendations, including GRAMMY Nominations for Record of the Year, Best R&B Duo or Group, and Best Produced CD for their African Eyes album. Their worldwide anthem “We Are Family” was entered into the prestigious Library of Congress in 2017.
CAIN- Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.
Pop/Contemporary Christian band and sibling trio sensation, CAIN is comprised of siblings Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain. They have been delighting audiences with their joyous performances since 2012 when they got their big break opening for Dave Barnes and Andrew Ripp. Since then, they have gone on to release four projects and shared the stage with artists such as TobyMac, Zach Williams, and Casting Crowns, while also performing on the famed stages of The Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Ryman Auditorium. Following the success of their breakout album, Rise Up, which won a K-LOVE Fan Award for Top Breakout Single “Rise Up (Lazarus),” Honest Offering was released in 2022, followed by Jesus Music in 2023.
Little Anthony- Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.
Doo-wap singer Little Anthony will make his debut appearance at the Fair. With over 60 years in show business and over 50 million records sold worldwide, he has “shimmy shimmied” his way into the hearts of fans across generations. With hits including “Tears On My Pillow,” “Goin’ Out Of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop,” Little Anthony was inducted into the 2009 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and most recently inducted into the 2018 class of The Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Blue Öyster Cult- Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.
Heavy metal masters Blue Öyster Cult will rock the Chevy Court stage for the band’s fourth appearance at The Fair and the first since 2017. For five decades, they have thrilled fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs – becoming one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn genuine mainstream critical acclaim and commercial success. The band is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as Metallica, and BÖC was listed in VH1’s countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. Upon the release of BÖC’s self-titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy-yet-heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny, or ambiguous. Their discography includes three songs that no doubt go down in history as stone-cold classics: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla,” and “Burnin’ for You.”
Danielle Ponder– Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.
Rochester native and soul R&B performer Danielle Ponder first worked in the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office – first as a public defender, then as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer – for nearly a decade, while performing regularly throughout Rochester’s music scene. While working as a public defender, she toured Europe, opening for George Clinton. In 2018, she decided to pursue music full-time, just one week before her 40th birthday. She stepped into the national spotlight with the release of her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, in September 2022 with her unique sound – a blend of pop, R&B, blues, rock, and soul. Currently, she’s working on her second album.
AJ McLean is known by fans across the world as a beloved member of the Backstreet Boys. As a seasoned performer, McLean has been performing some of pop music’s biggest hits – featuring tightly crafted songs, floor-shaking rhythms, and unmistakable harmonies – for over twenty years.
Over the last few years, McLean has been hitting the road with the Backstreet Boys for the band’s international, stadium-filling “DNA Tour,” which performed over 150 shows across five continents. The band, comprising McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson, also released their documentary series Making of the DNA Tour in 2022. Recently, McLean released a new single called “Electric” and will have more solo music coming out this year
Joey Fatone first rose to fame as a member of the record-shattering, multi-platinum boyband *NSYNC. Following the band’s incredible success with albums that sold over ten million copies and countless awards, Fatone took on projects spanning from television, film Broadway, and beyond. In November of 2019, during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat series, Joey performed three days of Joey Fatone and Friends, entertaining fans alongside Chris KirkPatrick, Ryan Cabrera, Nathan Morris of BOYZ II MEN, MC Search and more. And, in August 2021, Fatone brought together brought together some of pop superstars like Wanya Morris, Nick Carter, and AJ McLean for the AFTR PRTY, an intimate pop classic for a sold-out residency in Las Vegas.
Fatone recently made headlines with a long-awaited reunion with his bandmates in NSYNC, releasing their first single in nearly 20 years in November 2023. The track, “Better Place,” was featured on the soundtrack of the third main installment in the Trolls franchise, the “Trolls Band Together.” The five members, including Fatone, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick, also made headlines during a united public appearance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
TLC– Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
One of the most popular female music groups of the 1990s, TLC, is performing at The Fair on Pride Day, Friday, August 23. The ladies of TLC – Tionne “T-Boz” and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – formed the group in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The four-time GRAMMY award-winning group became one of the biggest-selling female groups of all time, producing an extensive musical resume. TLC has sold 85 million records worldwide, produced ten Top Ten singles in the U.S., and four multi-platinum selling albums, including the 1994 breakthrough CrazySexyCool. The album, which Rolling Stone recognized as one of The Best 500 Albums of All Time, produced four top-five singles including “Creep,” “Diggin’ on You,” and “Waterfalls.” This summer TLC is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic album.
Dropkick Murphys– Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
The Dropkick Murphys will return to the Chevrolet Music Festival at Chevy Court for the fourth time. The Celtic-influenced rockers have generated half a billion streams and continue to sell out venues. They’ve headlined Boston’s Fenway Park and have been personally invited to share the stage with everyone from Foo Fighters to Bruce Springsteen to Mumford & Sons. Their celebrated discography includes two critically acclaimed acoustic albums – 2022’s This Machine Still Kills Fascists and 2023’s Okemah Rising, four consecutive Billboard top 10 album debuts, along with the double-platinum classic “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.”
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts– Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts formed in 1979, creating the iconic hit “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Over the next 40+ years, the band went on to amass nine Top 40 singles, including “Bad Reputation,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. This will be their fifth time performing at The Fair – closing out Women’s Day this year, which is very fitting for a frontwoman who broke down barriers in the mid-1970s to prove women could make it in the world of rock music. Joan Jett was rejected by 23 labels before forming her own independent record label, Blackheart Records.
Big Boi – Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.
Big Boi is a 7x Grammy Award winner best known for his work with legendary Hip Hop duo OutKast. Originating in Georgia, Big Boi helped put Atlanta on the musical map through his rapping and production work. He rose to fame with the release of OutKast’s 1994 debut Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik, which went platinum. Their subsequent albums Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below spawned numerous number 1 hits, making Big Boi a household name. Audiences are sure to know mega-hits like “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey Ya.” Individually, Big Boi is a force to be reckoned with, frequently cracking Billboard charts and racking up millions of streams.
Brian Kelley– Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
DIamond-selling superstar, Brian Kelley, is first known as the Florida half of the GRAMMY-nominated Florida Georgia Line (FGL). The ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award recipients garnered 19 career #1s and became the first and only act to achieve two RIAA DIAMOND singles in Country music history. They have surpassed 17 billion global streams, selling more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide, plus playing to over four million fans. Kelley’s “Trucks, Ducks, Bucks & Beer” is the latest preview of his much-anticipated full-length album on Big Machine Records due out this spring, having already introduced the project with “See You Next Summer,” “Dirt Cheap,” and “How We’re Livin’.”
Woodstock photographer, Henry Diltz, is hosting Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music with Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York on Aug. 11. In light of the 55th anniversary of Woodstock ’69 and the 30th anniversary of Woodstock ’94, MHG is showcasing photos from each of the three festivals all of which Diltz, the official photographer for them, was present for.
For the first time ever, Morrison Hotel Gallery is exhibiting a series of photos documenting the three festivals from the perspectives of many mixed-generation photographers. Special host, Henry Diltz, makes the event all the more special as such a prominent figure in music and festival photography.
Diltz captured the ’60s folk music scene with some of the most iconic portraits and album covers. As the man behind the Morrison Hotel, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and Sweet Baby James album art, it’s only fitting that he presents an exhibit full of his work as well as the work of those who succeeded him. His work is the lasting blueprint for music photographers today.
The original Woodstock 1969 was very organic, all peace and love, we just made it up as we went along. Woodstock 1994 was a bit more planned, it was at an abandoned Air Force base. This was the first Woodstock where there was crowd surfing… it hadn’t been thought of yet in ’69! I took so many photographs of people up above the crowd being passed around. Woodstock will always be the festival that had all the biggest and the best music of its time.
Henry Diltz
The photos start with the original festival and show how it evolved through the years, reflecting the changes in not just music, but society. Other featured photographers include Danny Clinch, Joseph Cultice, Sam Erickson, Elliott Landy, Lisa Law, Ken Regan, Amalie R. Rothschild, and Rowland Scherman. Additionally, the exhibit provides a special glimpse of different artistic perspectives on the same events.
The special exhibit will have two bi-coastal grand openings. Prior to the New York opening on Aug. 11, Diltz will also be in attendance at the Aug. 8 opening in West Hollywood. The galleries are available to the public, and on show until August 20.
The New York exhibit of Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace, Love & Music will be held at the Morrison Hotel Gallery at 116 Prince Street. To RSVP for the opening visit morrisonhotelgallery.com.
New York City-based roots singer/songwriter Danielia Cotton has released “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” the third single off of her upcoming Charley Pride tribute album: Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music.
Cotton’s passion for the late Pride’s music largely came from early life inspirations, which will be fully shared with the world when the album releases on August 29.
Danielia Cotton began her musical journey in Hopewell, NJ, influenced by classic rock icons like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Her passion for music was ignited at age 12 when her mother gifted her a guitar. Cotton made history as the first in her family’s three generations to attend college, graduating from Bennington College before launching her career in New York City’s vibrant music scene. With experience opening for iconic artists such as Gregg Allman, Bon Jovi, Robert Randolph, and Aimee Mann, Cotton has shown time and time again that her artistry translates to success and respect from the industry.
Cotton is set to release her Charley Pride tribute EP, Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music, on August 29th. Known for her soul-stirring voice described as “soulful enough to fill a revival tent” by The New York Times, Cotton draws inspiration from Charley Pride’s timeless songs that resonate with everyday life. This project holds a profound personal connection, inspired by a conversation with her 103-year-old grandmother about her late grandfather’s secret admiration for Charley Pride during a time when it was uncommon for Black people to openly listen to country music. In fact, Cotton considers this album to be not only a tribute to Pride but also to her family, especially her grandparents.
The newest single from the EP, “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” perfectly encapsulates the magic of Pride’s 1969 original while also showing off Cotton’s powerhouse vocal range. It’s difficult not to get goosebumps when hearing Cotton belt out “I’d love to wake up in your arms tomorrow” in the song’s main chorus. In the verses, she wonderfully emulates Pride’s smooth and flowing melodies with her own personal touches. Overall, Cotton perfectly toes a fine line between simply redoing Pride’s original and altering it too much to where it comes off as a remix, which will hopefully translate into her upcoming full-length later this month.
Stream “So Afraid of Losing You Again” on all streaming platforms. For more information on Cotton and her upcoming shows and music, visit her website here.
Kingdom Bound is in its 37th year bringing the best in Christian Music to Western New York. The festival ran from Monday, July 29th through Wednesday, July 31st at Darien Lake over three days on four stages and over 50 artists.
Kingdom Bound had Gospel Music royalty here on Monday night, Miss Cece Winans. She has garnerned 15 Grammy Awards, the most for any female gospel singer, 31 GMA Dove Awards, 17 Stellar Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards, and 1 Billboard Music Award. As well that night was Mac Powell formerly of Third Day.
The festival is attended by folks up and down the East Coast as well as Canada. They camp on site, rent a room in the lodge, as well as commute to the festival daily.
The final day of the festival was led off at the Gazebo stage with independent hip hop artists like Brea Miles from Virginia, Psalt-e from Syracuse and many more. Ending up at the main stage to close out the festival were the sister duo Renee and Cain with the closing act being The father/son band of We The Kingdom.
Dates for 2025 are already set for July 28-30 and one of the headline acts will be Skillet.
Sydney Irving is one of Central New York’s fastest rising up-and-coming musicians. With mature lyricism and a natural knack for music, she has worked her way up in the state’s rock and country scenes. After years of recordings and live performances across New York under her belt, she is poised to be the next big thing.
Photo by Daniel Bocchino
Irving’s musical journey began in Syracuse, in the heart of New York State. A steady musical diet of Tom Petty and Taylor Swift inspired her to take up songwriting at a young age. Her musical career truly began at age 13. After receiving a Breedlove acoustic guitar as a gift, she quickly took to penning tunes.
At only age 14, Irving recorded her debut album Hello Stranger. The album exudes youthful energy, with surprisingly complex lyrics for such a young songwriter. The title track is an upbeat ukulele-driven indie pop number, discussing an enigmatic and lost person.
Irving followed up her debut with 2018’s The Halfmoon Sessions. This sophomore effort reflects a rapid musical maturation. The record featured much more lush, acoustic instrumentation compared to her debut. The track “Where Do I Stand” reflects this musical evolution. A driving drum beat supports Irving’s acoustic guitar. Her lyricism also evolved, with the track discussing someone trying to change their fate regardless of the uncertainty it might bring.
She wrapped up the 2010s with a pair of EPs titled Greene and Ronan. Irving recorded these EPs with her band The Mojo in a rural log cabin. This change in scenery reflected a change in sound. These EPs saw Irving experiment with rock elements, such as on the track “Look What You Do to Me.” Songs like this marked a pivotal change in Irving’s career that would launch her to fame in the 2020s.
Photo by Daniel Bocchino
Sydney Irving kicked off the 2020s with a bang, releasing the singles “You Can’t Forget About Me” and “Seasons Change.” These songs quickly soared to the top of Music Mafia Radio Top 30 Countdown, propelling Irving into the spotlight. The track “Seasons Change” is the culmination of all Irving’s previous work. It has a driving country-inspired rock groove that feels straight out of the 1970s. The lyrics about how fast life can change are supported by a catchy chorus that sticks with the listener. Alongside success on the charts, Irving received growing critical acclaim for these songs. In 2020, the International Singer Songwriters Association named Sydney Irving the Young Adult Artist of the Year. Two years later, these accolades continued with Irving winning Best New Artist at the 2022 SAMMYS.
2023 proved to be an especially important year for Irving, seeing the release of her 6th record, live shows, and countless awards. At the center of this year was her release Unfashioned Creatures. The album featured some existing tracks, like the aforementioned “Seasons Change,” with a host of new songs. This album takes all of Irving’s influences and hones them down into a solid pop record. Tracks like “You Can’t Forget About Me” and “Rain” continue her explorations into Tom Petty-inspired heartland rock. The song “Find Me” is a highlight of the album, sounding straight off of a folksy Taylor Swift album. Unfashioned Creatures illustrates Irving at the top of her songwriting game, and has likewise only increased her notoriety.
In addition to her new release, Irving toured nonstop throughout 2023. Of special note was her performance at Binghamton’s Spiedie Fest. She took the stage on the final day of the festival in support of headliner Gavin Degraw. During her set, Irving had the audience captivated in no time. Across her original songs and covers of Ramones and Taylor Swift, Irving kept the audience clapping and singing along. Shows like this illustrate that Irving, while just getting started, already has the stage presence and charisma as a veteran touring musician.
Her newest album and touring have helped make a name for Irving among music critics. In 2023, she was recognized as the Best Pop Artist at the Mississippi Music Awards, showing just how far her music has reached. Back home in Syracuse, Unfashionable Creatures also won Best Pop Album at the 2024 SAMMYS.
This year, Sydney Irving has continued to release music, with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Parton’s music has been a major inspiration on Irving’s songwriting. In many ways, the choice to cover this song reflects Irving’s aspirations in the music industry. She said “I could only hope to someday be able to write as many extraordinary songs that strike a chord in a listener the way Dolly has done. She is a lyric goddess!” Shannon Steele of Kickin’ Kountry 101 radio called Sydney Irving’s cover “the real deal.”
This massive success has only increased Irving’s hard work. Throughout July and August 2024, Sydney Irving will be performing near daily concerts across Central New York. With shows hitting the big cities of Syracuse and Binghamton, and small towns in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks, fans across the state can witness her songs in person. These shows also illustrate Irving’s ability to conquer the stage, no matter the size. She will be performing everywhere from local breweries to large outdoor festivals, even doing a set at the Utica Zoo.
With so many albums and concerts already under her belt, Sydney Irving has nowhere to go but up. She already illustrates a mastery of pop melodies and emotional songwriting, matched by a glowing stage presence. Keep Sydney Irving on your radar, as she is one of the fastest up-and-coming musicians in all of New York State.
For more information on upcoming shows and releases, visit Sydney Irving’s website here.
This summer, The Homer Center for the Arts on 72 S, Main Street, in Homer is teaming up with So Good! Ice Cream to present a diverse line-up of music for the late summer.
With incredible ice cream, homemade cotton candy, unique sundaes, killer sunsets, and home of the So Good Music Series, each summer the ice cream site hosts the series. Plus, So Good! features “Adult Only” specialty ice cream for those 21+, with shows beginning at 7:00 pm.
On August 8th Colleen Kattau and Kyle Michio will be taking the stage, showcasing their talents and enhancing each other’s performance. Colleen Kattau is an award-winning blingual singer-songwriter, known for her blend of folk and latin music, her soulful voice brings the lyrics to life. As a beloved figure in the folk world, Kattau connects with the audience through her composition full of nature, social movements, and Latin American nueva canción.
Micho is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Syracuse with a large span of genres from folk, jazz, to classical music. His blend of sounds are both innovative and contains traditional music.
On August 22nd, Second Spring and Mr Gâs Homie Discount will be performing. Second Spring is a local Ithaca indie rock band that brings contemporary music to life. The band currently consists of members Isabella Gold, Erin Wagner, Isaiah Berger, Carys Banford and Aron Kaplan-Hall. With energetic an heartfelt performances, Second Spring has a loyal following.
Mr G’s Homie Discount blends funk, soul, and hip-hop. With a groovy and magnetic stage presence, the band has an infectious energy, making the crowd dance.
On Saturday, August 3rd, Amyl and the Sniffers performed for a sold-out crowd at Buffalo’s Asbury Hall. As singer Amy Taylor sings in the song “Guided By Angels,” “I’ve got plenty of energy, it’s my currency,” and she shared that wealth with a sold-out crowd at Buffalo’s Asbury Hall.
Amyl and the Sniffers, a pub rock/punk band out of Melbourne, Australia, have been making waves since their formation in 2016. With critical acclaim and awards for “Best Live Act” three years running, they have built a solid reputation on the strength of their high-energy performances. The band has supported major acts such as Foo Fighters, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Jane’s Addiction, showcasing their explosive stage presence to even larger audiences. Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan once said of Amy Taylor, “This is a true rockstar… She’s one of one.”
From the get-go, the show was an all-out blitz of punk energy. Opening acts Die Spitz, added to the lineup the day of the show, and Lambrini Girls set the bar high with their intense performances, getting the crowd revved up.
The band’s high-energy reputation had the crowd buzzing with anticipation. They didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that started at a 10 and stayed there all night.
When Amyl and the Sniffers took the stage, the energy was off the charts. Amy Taylor was a force of nature, constantly in motion, jumping around the stage, whipping her hair back and forth, punching the air, and throwing up the double biceps. The band’s discography, with its loud, in-your-face choruses, lends itself exceptionally well for live performance and the crowd sang along with every word of those choruses. “Shake Ya” and “Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)” drew some of the biggest reactions from the crowd, igniting even more energy in the room.
Asbury Hall was alive with energy. The night was a nonstop barrage of high-octane music and raw, unfiltered excitement.
As the show wrapped up, the band left the stage, but the crowd’s energy lingered, anticipating more. Their excitement peaked when Amyl and the Sniffers returned for an encore, performing new single, “U Should Not Be Doing That,” followed by the fan favorite, “GFY.” The encore left fans buzzing with adrenaline, eagerly awaiting the band’s next visit to Buffalo.
Setlist: Balaclava Lover Boogie, Freaks to the Front, Security, Capital, I Got You, Choices, Maggot, Shake Ya, No More Tears, Knifey, Control, Facts, Starfire 500, Guided By Angels, Don’t Need a C**t (Like You to Love Me), Hertz, Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)
Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced a number of musical events in August. With shows ranging from folk and blues to jazz and classical, audiences can enjoy a variety of different stylings throughout the month.
Caffe Lena’s founding dates back to 1960 when William and Lena Spencer converted an old woodworking shop into a coffee house. 64 years later, Caffe Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the country. Since its start, the cafe has been dedicated to bringing Saratoga Springs quality folk performances. In 1961, Caffe Lena hosted a then up-and-coming Bob Dylan for a two-night residency. Since then, Caffe Lena has hosted over 12,000 shows, including sets by legendary artists like Dave Van Ronk and Don Mclean.
Starting in 2020, Caffe Lena expanded its operations, opening a music school. This program continues their mission of spreading music through the community by passing down the folk tradition to the next generations. Also started was live broadcasting of the cafe’s shows in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
August 2024 marks a busy month for Caffe Lena with many different events planned. Throughout the month, the cafe will host Monday Open Mics. During these events, community members can display their musical talents for the cafe’s audience. Since its start over 30 years ago, Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll, and Saratoga’s Fab Five have recognized the event with “best of” awards. This event is free, but Caffe Lena suggests leaving a $3-5 donation. The open mic nights will take place Monday, August 5, 12, 19, and 26, at 7pm.
Kicking off the month of shows is an August 8th performance by the Nields. Sisters Nerissa and Katryna Nields make up the folk-rock group, blending pop melodies, folk instrumentals, and the edge of 90s alternative. Their sound has been described as a mix of the Cranberries, the Roches, and Joni Mitchell. The Nields’ performance begins at 7pm, with tickets starting from $11.94.
August 9th will feature a performance from Legendary country musician John McEuen. McEuen was a founding member and banjoist for the seminal country act The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band, propelling them to fame with songs like “Mr. Bojangles.” Now, over 45 years into his career, the Grammy-winning musician will perform at Caffe Lena for one night only. His performance will feature instrumental backing from banjos, guitars, fiddle, and mandolin. John McEuen’s performance will begin at 8pm, with tickets starting from $18.98.
Singer-songwriter supergroup Fantastic Cat will perform at Caffe Lena on August 10th. Members Anthony D’Amato, Don Dilego, Brian Dunne and Mike Montali bring years of experience in folk and Americana, making songs that are equal parts funny and heart-wrenching. With music that is equal parts Black Keys and Bruce Springsteen, Fantastic Cat pairs tight instrumentation with soulful vocals. This sold-out performance will begin at 8pm.
On Wednesday, August 13th, Rainbow Girls will perform at Caffe Lena. The trio hails from Santa Barbara, California, where they gained prominence from their live performances. Their music combines indie folk and Americana stylings with ethereal elements, making for a unique sound. UK music website For Folks Sake described their music as “A gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.” Their set will take place at 7pm, with tickets starting from $15.18.
Following this is a performance by Paul Winter and Chuck Lamb titled “This Glorious Earth.” 7x Grammy-winning saxophonist Paul Winter made a name for himself as the bandleader of the Paul Winter Consort. Composed of jazz, world, and classical musicians, the group traveled the world for decades. Throughout his career, Winter took great musical influences from nature, and consistently fought for ecological protections. Now, Winter will return to a live club setting for the first time in decades to play a salute to the natural world. Caffe Lena jazz steward and pianist Chuck Lamb will accompany Winter. These performances are scheduled for Friday, August 23 at 8pm. and Saturday, August 24 at 8pm. Tickets start from $46.10.
August 27th and 28th will feature performances by legendary British folk musician Al Stewart. Stewart rose to fame in the 1960s, using folk-rock to tell mythological and historical stories. He is perhaps best known for his no. 8 hit “Year of the Cat” from 1976. Across his 16 studio albums, Stewart has worked with everyone from Jimmy Page to Tori Amos. Now after almost six decades in the spotlight, he will grace Caffe Lena with his folk stylings. His performances will start at 7pm, with tickets starting at $47.50.
Judith Owen & Her Gentlemen Callers will close out the month with an August 31st performance. Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen has made waves since the release of her 1996 American debut Emotions on a Postcard. Now, with the backing of a New Orleans septet, Owen explores the female artists that inspired her. The performance will celebrate boundary-breaking artists like Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee, and Blossom Dearie. Owen will also interpret the works of timeless vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone. With this modern twist on classic tunes, Owen’s performance is one to look out for. Her performance will begin at 8pm, with tickets starting from $20.61.
For more information on Caffe Lena’s upcoming events, visit their website here.
