NYS Music 2024

Tag: folk

  • Caffe Lena to Feature Peter Rowan, Bandits on the Run, Willi Carlisle and More in May

    Saratoga Springs music venue Caffe Lena has announced their top picks for the month of May. From May 1 to 31 Caffe Lena sees a massive lineup of shows and performers for the community to enjoy.

    Caffe Lena is a well-known host of talent for the Upstate New York community. Various walks of life see the stage at this venue through a wide range of genre and background. The venue’s mission is to keep a diverse set of programs and artists, regardless of fame, to present to the community. Caffe Lena is where musical discovery begins on all fronts. All shows held in-person in Lena’s historic listening room are also streamed live to living rooms around the world.

    In May, the venue showcases a lengthy, talent-packed lineup of shows including musical performances, poetry open mic nights, and more. Genres like folk, bluegrass, jazz and roots are showcased this May along with songwriting workshops, poetry nights, and kids club concerts. There’s something for all members of the community this month.

    Caffe Lena’s Top Shows for May

    May 1 – 7 PM Poetry Open Mic Night feat Darcy Smith

    May 2 – 7 PM Kruger Brothers

    May 3 – 8 PM Dan Navarro

    May 7 – 7 PM Live Stream: Storytelling Night feat Miki Conn

    May 11 – 8 PM Bandits on the Run

    May 12 – 7 PM Peter Rowan

    May 17 – 8 PM Ana Egge

    May 22 – 7:30 PM Willi Carlisle

    May 30 – 7 PM Abigail Lapell

    For more information on Caffe Lena’s upcoming dates and performers, click here.

  • Terre Roche Unveils Latest Album Inner Adult and Releases Single, “Fish Out of Water”

    Singer-songwriter Terre Roche of the legendary NYC sibling folk trio, The Roches has announced the release of album INNER ADULT. Along with this, Terre also dropped her single, “Fish Out of Water,” on April 10.

    Terre Roche

    Terre Roche has written and performed music across the country for over 50 years. Her colorful and celebrated music career refuses to let up as Roche dropped “Fish Out of Water” April 10. The upcoming album INNER ADULT sees Terre continue to add depth to her folk/rock library and will also be released as a limited-edition book featuring illustrations by Terre, song lyrics, photographs, and more.

    The album released is to be celebrated May 20 with a show at City Winery Loft in NYC.

    Terre Roche

    The single “Fish Out of Water” has a soothing, yet mesmerizing aura to it. This is a sound only the most talented artists can achieve. The theme of change, growth, moving on, is perfectly embodied by the soft and hopeful acoustic sound. Terre Roche’s vocals are somber yet sweet.

    Terre Roche proved that she still has the ear, the mind, and the talent to put out folk works like this no matter the decade. Longevity in an artist is paramount and Terre has it. The sounds lull you while the lyrics keep you thinking. The track is simple in sound but profound in writing. It is simply great.

    For more information on Terre Roche, her single, and upcoming album, click here.

  • Hearing Aide: The Folklorkestra’s “A Strange Day in June”

    NYC-based folk group The Folklorkestra are releasing a new unique and titillating album titled, A Strange Day in June on March 29.

    A Strange Day in June is an album that had me intrigued instantly. The sounds that emanate from this album are nothing short of mystical and diverse. Many of the tunes feature much mandolin, woodwind, and acoustic percussion.

    The opening track, “The Girl I Never Knew” consists of a kind of eastern melody coupled with a very Mediterranean sound. The usage of mandolin, shakers, accordion, and operatic vocals make for something real captivating.

    Each song on the album has a unique sound that almost entrances the listener. The second track, “My Cousin the Spy” has a sort of Latin-folk sound that starts off like ballroom music. It later evolves with its saxophone-heavy progression, with many backing instruments carrying the melody.

    A Strange Day in June
    John Kruth

    The Folkorkestra is led by John Kruth, who has been active in the music industry for decades. He’s worked with countless other notable names like Meat Puppets, Jim Belushi, Steve Buscemi, Allen Ginsberg, Laurie Anderson, and more.

    The group draws inspiration from various genres and sounds from around the world including American folk, jazz, chamber music, as well as eastern instruments, and European melodies. The group consists of versatile, multi-instrumentalists, Kathy Halvorson, Premik Tubbs, Kenny Margolis, Ray Peterson, and Rohin Khemani.

    A Strange Day in June

    The Folklorkestra’s recent album, A Strange Day in June is certainly one to check out. It is complete with unique, diverse, and intriguing sound. Each song has a different feel and tells a different story. Each song combines multiple sounds together and makes it something you’ve never heard before.

    The artisanship exhibited throughout the album is something to gaze at. There are miniscule sounds that inhabit every crevice of the songs. The songs are sonic portraits, displaying moving images via the music. There is a lot of character and charm from this album.

    To learn more about The Folklorkestra and their upcoming work, click here. Stay up to date on the release of A Strange Day in June, releasing March 29.

  • Chris Pellnat Releases Latest Multi-Sound Album “Cairn”

    Chris Pellnat announced the release of his latest folk, synth, rock fusion album, Cairn and it is certainly something unique. The album showcases several unique and intriguing sounds from Chris Pellnat’s repertoire.

    Cairn Chris Pellnat

    Chris Pellnat is a singer-songwriter based in Hudson, New York. In addition to his solo work, he plays guitar in the Poughkeepsie-based rock band, The Warp/The Weft. He is also half of the duo, Teeniest. He performs mostly in upstate New York. Chris creates melodic, memorable songs using unusual instrumentation, including vibraphone, clarinet and dulcimer in addition to guitar, bass, drums and
    synthesizers. His songs are sometimes cleverly humorous, but always with an underlying message.

    There is clear vocal and instrument influence from artists like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Lennon, Paul Simon and more. Cairn combines elements of traditional American folk, orchestral music, acoustic rock, and even electronic. Each song on the Cairn has its own feel and theme. Some songs are about hope, some are about endings and beginnings, some are about nothing. The album has an overwhelming ability to calm, but also the ability to get your feet tapping or your head swaying.

    Cairn has a good deal of variety in terms of musical vibe and style. It starts off with “Ship on the Horizon,”
    a dulcimer-and-accordion-driven song that sets the tone with the sound of ocean waves. “Wandering Squandering” is a straight-ahead electric rocker. “Forest Giants” is a trippy, electronic exploration inspired by the wilderness. The album continues like that: you never know what the next song will sound like, and you’ll likely be surprised when you find out.

    For more information on Chris Pellnat’s music and to listen to Cairn, click here.

  • An Intriguing Glimpse into Cosby Gibson’s Videography and Musicianship

    Songwriter Cosby Gibson has released two videos to her YouTube channel to display both her music and the everyday activity of a songwriter. The music and videography are carried out with unique expression and inspiration.

    An Intriguing Glimpse into Cosby Gibson's Videography and Musicianship

    Cosby Gibson is an award-winning performing songwriter who lives near the Adirondack Mountains. She writes unique, original acoustic and folk-style songs on guitar and dulcimer. GRAMMY balloted, and winner Capital District Music Awards for Best Folk Album, 2017 and 2018.

    She’s won Dorn Space Arts Award for Music Outreach, 2019, Best Folk Album, 2021, and Outstanding Folk Artist in 2023, and has been a nominee for the Eddies Music Awards for Best Folk Duo in 2023.

    Cosby’s first video, “Day in the Life: A Song Writer’s Day Off,” details everyday activity that she participates in. The 15-minute video shows how Cosby creates and practices her music, delving into the ways she recharges and unwinds. The video also emphasizes the means in which she becomes inspired and how nature connects musical idea and artistic expression beautifully.

    Gibson is seen in the video performing various tasks like making breakfast, taking in the atmosphere of the outdoors and doing laundry, showing that inspirations can be drawn from all types of activity.

    “It’s almost as if Cosby composes from another time; simpler, more honest, more concise, without frivolous self-importance…Follow Cosby’s footsteps through the forest, to a cabin with a stone fireplace, warm and inviting.”

    Greg Jackson, Upstate Live

    The second video Cosby Gibson posted is a music video for the “The Hollow Crown,” an uplifting folk tale of kings and queens and knights who fought over the “hollow crown.” In the video, Cosby tells the story of how the once sought-after crown, became one that brought upon evil and misfortune. The tune is joyful, with a solemn background.

    The tune ends on peaceful notes, and the music video does as well. The hymn is quite catchy and is reminiscent of a story book of sorts.

    For more information on Cosby Gibson and to hear some more of her works, click here.

  • Hearing Aide: Gregory McLoughlin, “Hemispheres”

    Prolific bassist and songwriter Gregory McLoughlin has released his latest single, “Hemispheres” on January 15. Gregory McLoughlin, hailing from Jersey City, NJ, creates bass-forward, and acoustic tracks that can best fit into the category of folk or soft rock.

    Gregory McLoughlin Hemispheres

    A first thought on Gregory’s single, “Hemispheres,” is the opening sounds quite reminiscent of Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind.” It begins with a subtle bassline, melodic piano, and a recognizable acoustic riff. You can also hear accordion kick in as the vocals do. Backing vocal harmonies on this track are quite smooth and relaxing.

    The song tells a tale about a sort-of yearning for summer adventure with loved one. Certainly, a vibe any Northeasterner in the winter can get behind. The song has a mix of a tropical, Margaritaville sound, and American Folk. There is a smooth, guitar solo between verses and the chorus, which remains in the background for the remainder of the tune.

    The single has the same melody throughout, with little to no diversion in neither vocals nor instrumentation. That said, the song is sweet-sounding, and one where emotion and hope are the defining narratives.

    This is a song about summertime, but specifically inspired by the beautiful landscape of
    New England’s Cape Cod National Seashore. I am releasing it in the dead of Winter to
    remind us of warm summer memories and help push us through the cold months.

    Gregory McLoughlin, on “Hemispheres”

    To listen to Gregory McLoughlin’s latest single, check him out on Spotify, or YouTube. To learn more about the artist, visit his website at GregoryMcLoughlin.com.

  • Seth Glier To Perform at The Eighth Step in Schenectady

    Referred as a singer with an exquisite tenor, echoing Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel in the piano pop, Seth Glier will perform at the Eighth Step in Schenectady on February 10. This will be the singer’s return to the Capital Region after appearing in October alongside folk singer Tom Rush.

    Growing up in Massachusetts, Glier grew up singing a lot of traditional shape note choir music from Appalachia and mountain music from the countries of Bulgaria and Georgia. The singer also grew up in a singing camp called Village Harmony, but now as an artist and activist Glier’s love and understanding of nature, his care for social justice and his music are synchronous. The singer also dedicated his latest album Rise to supporting Trout Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring America’s coldwater fisheries and their watershed.

    The singer’s commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change has prompted him to work with the students in Parkland, FL for the ‘Parkland Project’. The project aims to connect Parkland neighborhoods to five schools, three County Parks, and Pacific Lutheran University. It also provides a safe route for people of all ages and abilities to get around in the areas that currently have few sidewalks and bike lanes. 

    Doors will open at 7 pm on February 10 and tickets can be purchased here and through Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204.