NYS Music 2024

Tag: indie

  • Brooklyn Based Artist Middle Part releases Debut Album

    Brooklyn-based grunge-pop artist, Middle Part released his debut album, Disruptor, on April 26. The album is a sensitive raw look at mental health in a revolving corporate world. The sound of Disruptor pays homage to late 90’s and early 2000’s grunge rock.

    Middle Part or Andy Selkōw, moved from Alaska to New York City in 2019 where he met producer and collaborator Brian Zaremba. Shortly after Selkōw released his first EP in 2021, I Wish I Was Alive. One of its tracks “& Cry” gained lots of attention from fans with its 4 million streams on Spotify.

    Since then, Selkōw has found a place within the Bushwick, Brooklyn music scene opening for acts like Biig Piig and Yot Club. Middle part has appeared on Spotify’s Indie Fresh Finds playlist, exposing his sounds to indie listeners everywhere. 

    Disruptor opens with “Get Fixed,” which samples sounds from what sounds like a home video invoking a sense of nostalgia as the song explains the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the realizations of ageing. Despite the dark subject matters of some of the tracks, the album is still incredibly catchy with upbeat guitar riffs and invoking choruses.

    One song that sticks out is “Spin For You.” Selkōw’s voice is distorted, and he uses some wacky instrumentals to represent the depressing and hopeless mood of the song. “Dial” is one of the most important songs on Disruptor. It tells the story of a suicide hotline call but the message is hopeful, encouraging people to seek out help. The track represents a low point in Selkōw’s that he wishes never to return to.

    The whole album is a vulnerable, darker approach to songwriting with its emotional lyrics. “I’m so sensitive and hate to show it, but it just bleeds through all of my music,” Selkōw says. 

    You can watch part of Disruptor on YouTube with its four-part performance series featuring singles from the album that were released in 2023. The videos resemble classic MTV rock videos with their gritty rageful visuals. You can check out Disruptor on Apple music or Spotify.

  • Indie band Juicer release “Retire The Fences”

    Indie-rock band juicer released their long awaited debut album Retire The Fences on May 10. The band formed in 2023 and have been blossoming in the NYC area. 

    Vocalist and Guitarist, James Watson moved to NYC in 2021 and he was inspired by his own personal journey as well as the new sounds of the city. Since 2023, the band including, Donovan Edelstein (drums), Carlo DiBiaggio (bass) and Greg Crotty (guitar) have performed in Boston and Philadelphia along with NYC venues. They released their third single “let go” earlier this year which got great feedback from fans. 

    Retire The Fences is a reference to lyrics off the Beach Boys song “feel flows,” a song from a more complex era of Beach Boys music, something that Watson was inspired by when recording this album. The harmony in the chorus of the track “Strawberry Life” resembles a Beach Boys song with its harmony and rolling effect of the rhythm. 

    Despite repetitive, plain lyrics the whole album overall has a great sound. It’s a perfect album for a summer drive, a walk outside or a chill dinner party. 

    Listening to Retire The Fences takes the listener straight to a classic inspiring Brooklyn show in a small intimate venue. One great aspect of the album is that it doesn’t feel over-produced or watered down with its editing. Fans will be able to imagine hearing these songs live. 

    One song that sticks out as a darker track is “Let Go.” It opens with grungy instrumentals with reminiscent lyrics. The song explains how changes in your life force you to reflect on your past.

    “Trickin” which starts the album and “Dream” which is the last song, both invoke a carefree, light feeling that introduce and tie off the album nicely. 

    You can check out Retire the Fences here on Spotify.

  • Second Annual Meadowlark Festival Confirms Lineup

    Meadowlark Festival — the Stone Ridge, NY three-day festival of indie, roots, and countercultural music that benefits farmers in Hudson Valley and nationwide — confirms its lineup for its 2024 fall festival.

    Set for September 13-15, the 3-day event will feature performances from indie rock icons Blonde Redhead, NPR Tiny Desk concert alum and Hudson Valley artist Laura Stevenson, NYC garage rockers and Yep Roc artists Daddy Long Legs, Kentucky songwriter Joan Shelley, Boston Music Award-nominated blues guitarist Ryan Lee Crosby, the “sweetly flavored folk-pop” music of Fruit Bats, WXPN-named “Artist to Watch” Slaughter Beach, Dog, Newport Folk Fest favorites Deer Tick, the psychedelic space rock of KidBess & The Magic Ring, along with Honeycrush and Lulu Lewis. Also performing are the “first couple of Americana” Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, and artsy Manhattan garage-rockers Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage, with a special guest set for reveal as the festival draws closer.

    Lineup for the 2nd annual Meadowlark Festival revealed

    All in all, the 2nd annual Meadowlark Festival continues to garner support for farmers local and nationwide and supports organizations who are aligned with the values of promoting food security and advocacy for local farms. These organizations include Farm Aid, Rondout Valley Growers Association (RVGA), and Hudson Valley Center For Food, Culture & Agriculture. The festival takes place at Stone Ridge Orchard & Farmers Market, a 200-year-old working farm on 115 acres.

    Moreover, tickets for Meadowlark Fest 2024 are on sale on the festival website, with prices ranging from an early bird special and day-of pricing. For instance, a 1-Day general admission early bird ticket costs $70, but will be $100 on the day of, with similar rules set for parking passes.

    Meadowlark Festival will take place at Stone Ridge Orchard & Farmer's Market.
    Meadowlark Festival to take place at Stone Ridge Orchard & Farmer’s Market

    Additionally, Meadowlark Fest will feature local artisans, food vendors, award-winning artisanal hard apple ciders, and more with more details to come. Less than two hours north of New York City and a twenty-minute car ride from the Kingston Metro North railroad station, Stone Ridge Orchard and Farmers Market in the scenic Roundout Valley sits between the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill mountain range in the Hudson Valley region.

  • Hearing Aide: NYC-Based Indie Group Rookie Mistake Release Debut EP, “I Will Not Die in Upstate New York”

    NYC-based indie-folk group Rookie Mistake have released their debut EP I Will Not Die in Upstate New York on March 29. The album is full of intriguing sound and promising talent.

    I Will Not Die in Upstate New York

    Rookie Mistake is made up of Nick Fioravanti, Gianna Minerva, Justin Gambardella, and Ethan Brown. They were originally formed in May 2022 in college at SUNY Oneonta and are currently based in the NYC Metro. They’re excited to share their debut EP, I Will Not Die in Upstate New York after playing house shows and small clubs around New York State.

    The group is heavily swayed by artists from genres like folk, indie, alternative, and classic rock. You can hear similarities to groups like Joy Again, The Walters, The Lumineers, and Mumford and Sons. The group refuses to conform to a specific genre. They have elements of folk, indie, bluegrass, and glimpses of alternative.

    The opening track “I Will Not Die in Upstate New York” sets the tone of the EP with a heavy emphasis on acoustic folk, but still gripping the indie sound. It is a story of returning home, leaving the past behind, traveling far and wide and living life. The next track “Fortune Cookie” is quite laid back, but transforms into a heartfelt, hopeful and fast-paced tune. This track really shows the singer’s heavier vocals and the instrumental capabilities as more than just soft folk.

    When the song “Trampoline” plays, the band really starts to show their indie roots. They prove their talents are simply multi-dimensional. “Famous” and “I Love it Here” bring back those soft, folk elements and showcases that the band can play a range of sound and can make indie-folk really pop. The songs are filled with depth, both emotionally and instrumentally.

    To hear Rookie Mistake’s debut EP and to learn more about the band, click here.

  • 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.

  • Artist Profile: Up and Coming Indie-Folk Troupe Sweetboy

    NYC Indie-folk band Sweetboy has been gaining popularity after the release of their 2023 album A Day in the Park. The group is known for their powerful style of indie, folk, pop, and alternative meshing.

    Sweetboy was created by artists Anna Barnett and Jon Flores. The two met on Craigslist under aspiring musicians in search of a band. The pair got together, created some tunes, and began performing at open mics around NYC.

    The duo then added some new members, put out some demos, and by 2023, released their first album A Day in the Park. Their sound combines infectious indie-pop energy and nostalgic alt-rock angst with an introspective throughline.

    Sweetboy considers themselves not much more than nerdy music lovers trying to figure out the most interesting, authentic, and exciting ways to turn their feelings into songs. While the bandmates live throughout New York and New Jersey, the City is their musical home.

    The group performed their song “Upstate” on Albany’s WTEN news station on February 25. The song is a wonderful combination of sound, beginning with a strong folk tone, shifting and evolving into a higher-energy pop-rock ballad with a punchy drumbeat.

    “Upstate” features a percussive yet melodic piano. Throughout the tune, several changes of intensity and instrumentation occur. The track features Anna’s wonderous vocals along with soaring, choir-like vocals. From beginning as a slow, soft acoustic ditty, to a moving, quick-witted ballad, the song keeps the listener entranced and moving.

    To learn more about Sweetboy and their upcoming music, visit their website here. Make sure to check out their YouTube channel for all past releases as well.