NYS Music 2024

Tag: Music News

  • DMC of Run-DMC Returns to Queens For Cookies and Concerts

    Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC returns to where it all began. Next Saturday (July 20) the 2016 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will make an appearance at the Queens Night Market to debut his new cookie brand, Darryl Makes Cookies.

    DMC will be premiering his cookie brand and performing, on the weekend of July 20.
    DMC will headline Summerstage on July 21. Photo by John Shore.

    Late last year, DMC unveiled Darryl Makes Cookies during an appearance at Comic Con. According to McDaniels, the line of cookies and many of his artistic endeavors are intended to bridge generational gaps. As a result the cookies have made a few pop-up appearances, but DMC is officially bringing them home on July 20 at the Queens Night Market. Furthermore, fans and visitors will get a chance to meet DMC and have their cookie bags signed by the rock & roll hall of famer.

    Moreover, the day after, DMC –along with Yonkers native Jadakiss— will headline Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage on Sunday, July 21 from 5-9 p.m. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

    I’m so excited to be performing in my hometown borough of Queens! I’m bringing things that make people smile… music and the koolest cookies in the universe. This is going to be like the neighborhood block parties we would have that are one of the foundations of Hip Hop. It will be the culture at its finest!

    – Darryl “DMC” McDaniels

    About Queens Night Market

    The Queens Night Market aspires to be NYC’s most affordable, most diverse, and most welcoming community space. The event features over 100 independent, local vendors on Saturday evenings in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from April through October. It maintains a unique $5-$6 price cap on all food items available for sale at the event for inclusivity and accessibility to everyone.

    Since it’s launch in 2015, the Queens Night Market has welcomed approximately three million visitors, helped launch over 400 brand new businesses in New York, and represented over 95 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2023, the event averaged approximately 20,000 attendees each Saturday night. Presently, DMC and the Queens Night Market combine in their common cause towards inclusivity and accessibility for all.

    DMC brought all eyes on the borough with the pioneering music of RUN DMC. We’re beyond ecstatic that DMC is hosting an official launch of Darryl Makes Cookies at Queens Night Market and can’t wait to catch his SummerStage show the day after!

    – John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market


  • Jim Jones, Brady Watt Join Forces At ‘Godspeed’

    Jim Jones’ rapping and delivery have aged like wine. Thus it comes as no surprise that as Brady Watt sifted through beats at — Dipset affiliates — Heatmakers’ studio, he could not help but think of Capo. “With Dipset already on my mind, we reached out to Jim Jones, and he miraculously came to the studio a few days later,” Watt recalls. 

    Jim Jones and Brady Watt in the studio
    Brady Watt adds his touch to The Heatmakers’ beat, creating “Godspeed.”

    Hence, the end result –“Godspeed”– is classic Heatmakers beat. Backed by a high pitch and soul sample, the record sees Jim Jones introspectively shares his life and times and Brady Watt delivers a passionate chorus. Yet during the recording process, Watt was mourning the loss of a close friend’s father. Thus channeling his emotions into the song, turning his sadness into a passionate message about gratitude, alignment with destiny and God’s timing.

    “Jim did the verse on the spot and brought everything to the next level. Thankfully, my cameraman was there to document everything,” Watt reveals. Indeed, the music video for “Godspeed” consists of the intimate studio session, showcasing Watt’s diversity as he provides vocals, production and instrumentation on the record.

    “I’m a lifelong Dipset fan,” Watt shares. “Over the years, I’ve developed a friendship with Jim and Heatmakerz. I’m always making beats, but I wanted to see what would happen if I used someone else’s production while still adding my instrumentation and bass.”

    More From Brady Watt

    Ultimately, “Godspeed” is the latest feather in the cap of the the multi-instrumentalist/producer. After all Watt has been a hip hop mainstay thanks to his musical chops. Aside from being a well-renowned live musician and session bass player, he continues to push musical boundaries with his groundbreaking “Bass & Bars” series, which has now garnered over 100 million views. 

  • Dromedary Records Return to Catskill for Second Annual DromFest

    After an incredibly successful debut, making their way back to the Avalon Lounge in Catskill, NY, is the highly anticipated DromFest.

    Hosted by Kingston-based micro-indie record label Dromedary Records, DromFest celebrates Dromedary artists, DJs, and some of indie rock’s biggest names, including The Figgs, King Missle, and Aeon Station. From August 30 to September 1, join Dromedary Records in Catskill for this year’s rendition of DromFest.

    dromfest

    Initially conceived in 2023 as a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dromedary Records, DromFest reached smashing success that inspired the label to make it an annual event. “The weekend was so much fun for the bands and attendees alike, that there was demand to do another,” explained Dromedary founder Al Crisafulli. “So  we’re all going to get together in the Catskills and have a big, weekend-long  party, hopefully feel like kids again, and celebrate this amazing community of  artists we’re so proud to be a part of.”  

    However, this year, DromFest plans on making history. This festival sees the return of Cell, a New York-based indie rock band that played a major role in the emergence of alternative and indie rock onto the music scene of 1990. The band unfortunately disbanded in 1995 and has not played a show since, until now, that is. For the first time in almost three decades, Cell will not only be performing, but co-headlining the closing show with Aeon Station on Sunday, September 1.

    Performing alongside Cell are several Dromedary artists, including Cathedral Ceilings, Karyn Kuhl, Dew Claw, Overheard,  Sleepyhead, and Matt Hunter & the Dusty Fates. The entire festival will be emceed by comedian and musician Doug Stoley, known for his work on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Manhattan. “It’s a great lineup,” says Crisafulli, “an excellent blend  of indie rock royalty, great bands that haven’t played together in years,  and newer bands that wear their 90s indie rock influences on their sleeve.” 

    Admission for Friday night’s events will be $25, and Saturday/Sunday passes will be $80, with VIP passes that include a new Sleepyhead 7″, bonus sampler CD, and a donation to a local food bank priced at $100. Passes go on sale at 12 pm Friday, June 14 at noon and are available HERE. 

    DromFest 2024 Lineup

    August 30 – 7pm-midnight  
    The Figgs, Chris Brokaw Rock Band, The Royal Arctic Institute  

    August 31 – 12pm-midnight 
    King Missile (Dog Fly Religion), Scrawl, Antietam, Thalia Zedek Band, Poem Rocket, Moviola, Karyn Kuhl & the Gang, Dew-Claw (Stephen Hunking (Hypnolovewheel) w/Chris Xefos, Dave Rick & Dave Ramirez (King Missile, Bongwater, et al), DJ sets 

    Readings by 
    Bela Koe-Krompecher, John S. Hall, Karen Schoemer 

    Sept 1 – 12pm-midnight 
    Aeon Station (3/4 of The Wrens w/Tom Beaujour and Lysa Withay), Cell, Cathedral Ceilings, Sleepyhead, Tuscadero, Human Hearts (Franklin Bruno & friends), Matt Hunter & the Dusty Fates, DJ sets 

  • Duran Duran Haunts The Danse Macabre Halloween Party At Madison Square Garden

    British pop icons Duran Duran joins the macabre for an all-night Halloween party at Madison Square Garden. On October 31, the band returns to New York City for the Danse Macabre Halloween Party and encourage fans to dress up and go all out for a night of electrifying, spooky fun.

    duran duran

    Madison Square Garden’s Danse Macabre Party originally began during their 2022 tour on Halloween night as a once-fabled Duran Duran show come to life. The party featured new music, concept art, and themes for the band, now compiled in a full new album, Danse Macabre. In the two years since the first concert, it has become a highly anticipated annual tradition. Lifelong fans and newcomers alike head to MSG for fresh, spooky music Billboard calls “delightfully devilish.”

    Along with a night in New York City, Duran Duran has announced an official North American tour starting in October. The tour will take their new album across the American Northeast, with an earlier stop in Verona, NY. The final show will take place on November 2 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

    For those who want to get a head start on the haunting vibes, Danse Macabre is out now and is available on all streaming platforms. Below is the complete list of tour dates. Public on-sale begins Friday, July 12 at 10 am local.  Along with every ticket purchased, fans will receive a digital copy of Duran Duran’s 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, repackaged with unreleased extras. For more information, visit the band’s official website here. Get started on those costumes if you haven’t already!

    NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

    10/21 – PPL Center – Allentown, PA

    10/23 – The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino – Verona, NY

    10/25 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT

    10/26 – Borgata Event Center – Atlantic City, NJ

    10/28 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD

    10/31 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY **HALLOWEEEN DANSE MACABRE PARTY**

    11/02 – SNHU Arena – Manchester, NH

  • Ann Nesby & The Sounds of Blackness Reinvented In ‘We Rise (Raf N’ Soul New York Remix)’

    From Brooklyn-based Bassline Records, grammy-winning r&b/gospel ensemble The Sounds of Blackness return with a reinvented Ann Nesby in an uptempo dance and soul infused remix with producer Raf N’ Soul. Released on July 4, “We Rise (Raf N’ Soul New York Remix)” was originally written by Ann Nesby and Victor Simonelli for the Atlanta Olympic Games. At the present time Simonelli sought out DJ and producer Raf N’ Soul to revamp the powerful record. Hence, the resulting arrangement of diverse musical styles brings life to the record and its powerful and unifying message.

    Ann Nesby "We Rise" cover art

    Thus, in 7 minutes and 10 seconds Raf n’ Soul takes everything to the next level with an orchestra of gospel, r&b, house and dance music all seamlessly coinciding. Chiefly, “We Rise (Raf N’ Soul New York Remix)” sets the stage with an uptempo dance beat as Ann Nesby’s ferocious vocals carry throughout. However the record is a makeup of varying styles with Detroit string player Marleen Rice offering an r&b/orchestral touch while trumpet player Syreeta Thompson bringing a southern jazz twist to the electric blend.

    “We Rise” Behind The Scenes

    To top this momentous release Raf N’ Soul Productions shared a a behind the scenes documentary into the making of “We Rise (Raf N’ Soul New York Remix).” The short-film offers an inside look into the impressive production team behind the record. A studio session hosting Recording Academy voting members Raf N’ Soul and Syreeta Thompson, multiple grammy winners, and Aretha Franklin’s former violinist in Marleen Rice was expectedly a free-flowing exchange of talent and creativity. After, Ann Nesby shared thoughts on the meaning behind “We Rise,” before getting an inside look into the concept and photoshoot behind the single’s artwork.

    We Rise is a song that was developed to encourage people that were going through something or working to rise above a goal that they felt was so depressing for them and to know that there’s a winner inside of you that no one can stop. And when you see that goal coming through you know who you are and that your dream has become reality.

    – Ann Nesby

    Ann Nesby & The Sounds of Blackness

    Ann Nesby and The Sounds of Blackness walk hand-in-hand as less heralded legends of R&B, gospel and soul-music. However, their lasting influences are in the generation of artists that honed their voice in church. Nonetheless, they are vital part of history, to which their sustained cultural relevance and critical-acclaim is a testament to.

  • Atlas Genius and Robert Delong Rock Two Shows in NY on Upcoming Tour

    After a nine-year-long hiatus, Australian alternative rock band Atlas Genius co-headlines a tour with electronica-pop artist Robert Delong starting this September in Chicago and ending in October in Los Angeles. The tour takes the headliners across North America, with two back-to-back stops in New York on September 15 and 17.

    atlas genius

    Atlas Genius’s upcoming tour comes in anticipation of their newest album, End of the Tunnel, the band’s first in nine years, set to release on September 6. Co-headliner Robert Delong has also recently announced his newest album, Playlist of Doom, set for release on September 13 through Round Hill Records.

    Before their hiatus, Atlas Genius traveled the world supporting Weezer, Blink-182, The Neighborhood, Imagine Dragons, The Kooks, and more. Atlas Genius have performed at some of the most iconic and prestigious festivals, including Lollapalooza, and featured on the late-night television shows of Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, James Corden, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. Delong is no stranger to festival stages, either, captivating audiences with his incredibly unique and dynamic performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Reading and Leeds.

    Now, after a long-awaited return, Atlas Genius are ready to re-emerge on stages across North America, including two shows in New York. Their first NY show is in Wantagh, Long Island, at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall on Sunday, September 15. Their second New York show brings them to the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan at Racket NYC, a concert venue located inside the Western Beef Supermarket on W 16th Street.

    Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall – Long Island Catering Halls

    The full tour dates are listed below. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 12, at 10 am local. Any additional information can be found on Atlas Genius and Robert Delong’s websites, linked here.

    ATLAS GENIUS AND ROBERT DELONG: FALL 2024 TOUR

    SEPTEMBER

    8 – Chicago, IL – Taste of Chicago

    10 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter

    11 – Columbus, OH – A&R

    13 – Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Hall

    15 – Long Island, NY – Mulcahy’s

    17 – New York, NY – Racket

    18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry

    22 – Boston, MA – Middle East – Downstairs

    24 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground

    26 – Norfolk, VA – The Annex

    27 – Washington, DC – Union Stage

    29 – Atlanta, GA – Hell at the Masquerade

    OCTOBER

    1 – Nashville, TN – Basement East

    3 – Austin, TX – The Ballroom at Spiderhouse

    4 – Houston, TX – The Heights

    5 – Dallas, TX – Kessler

    7 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre

    9 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep

    10 – Denver, CO – Marquis

    12 – Bellingham, WA – Bellingham Exit (Wild Buffalo)

    14 – Portland, OR – Mission Theatre

    16 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent

    17 – Santa Cruz, CA – Atrium

    19 – Costa Mesa, CA – Constellation Room

    20 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room

    21 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex

  • Rochester Jazz Vocalist Nancy Kelly To Perform In Buffalo Series

    Renowned jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly will inaugurate the Jazz at Richardson Jazz series in Buffalo on Aug 16. Her performance will be inside the Richardson Hotel as part of the “pre-fall” preview performance. Thus Kelly will sing alongside a band including saxophonist Jerry Weldon, organist Dino Losito, and drummer Carmen Intorre, Jr. 

    Nancy Kelly began her career in her hometown of Rochester.

    Namely, Kelly started her career in her hometown of Rochester, NY studying piano, clarinet and voice at the Eastman School of Music. She became a house singer at Jewels, a jazz venue in Philadelphia. Currently, she often appears in other iconic venues such as Birdland, The Blue Note and The Rainbow Room all in NYC. 

    Moreover, she performs in clubs in Los Angeles, Miami and even around the world including France, Switzerland and Turkey just to name a few. She’s released chart topping recordings and in 2020, she was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. 

    Markedly, Jazz at Richardson is the “central hub” for jazz within the buffalo music scene. It is JazzBuffalo’s collaboration with the Richardson Hotel and the Douglas Development Corporation, inviting artists to perform indoors and outdoors at the hotel. JazzBuffalo or Greater Buffalo Jazz Society, mission is to make more performances like this possible. The non-profit organization has continued to build a new jazz audience since it was founded in 2011. 

    To purchase tickets to the star-studded performance, you can purchase tickets on eventbrite.

  • The Chesterfield Kings Bring Back The Sounds Of The 60’s With 2 Singles

    Rochester band, The Chesterfield Kings just released two new singles, “Fly The Astral Plane ” and a cover of one “So Sad About Us” from one of their inspirations, The Who.

    The Rochester based band has released 11 albums.

    The band’s frontman, Andy Babiuk says he wrote the song “with a more psychedelic approach.” Despite their east coast beginnings, “Fly The Astral Plane” sounds like the soundtrack to a 60’s San Francisco summer.  “The lyrics can have a double meaning depending on what you’re into. But if you close your eyes and listen, you’ll get there,” Babiuk said.

    “So Sad About us” is more uplifting with its production than The Who’s version but still stays true to the band’s sound. The 7-inch cover is reminiscent of the hey-day of psychedelic rock. 

    The band formed in the late 70’s, are bringing back the classic rock sounds. Together the five piece band have released 11 albums and made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as well as Late Night with Conan O’Brien. In 2009, they hiatus but recently came back to record and perform together. 

    Thus, next year, the band will join a lineup of other bands and artists from May 9-13 as part of Little Stevens Underground Garage Cruise. Rock fans will have the opportunity to sail from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas while listening to punk and classic rock bands.
    You can stream The Chesterfield King’s singles on any streaming service and find more information on their website.

  • Five For Fighting Nationwide Tour To Begin – 9 Shows Across NY

    Five For Fighting kicked off Independence Day with a performance on Live With Kelly and Mark at “Live’s 4th of July Family Party” in New York City. In addition the Grammy-nominated soft-rock star has announced an upcoming 4-month nationwide tour beginning in July until October. Moreover the tour will be split into two separate legs; a full-band Tour and a string quartet leg of the tour.

    five for fighting
    John Ondrasik’s top-40 Billboard hit “Superman” earned him a Grammy nomination in 2002. Credit: Nikolai Puc

    FFF — also known as John Ondrasik — will be joined by experienced banmadates; drummer Randy Cooke, bassist Sean Hurley, and guitarist Peter Thorn for the first 2 months of the tour. Comparatively he will be joined by the likes of violinist Melissa Tong –who toured with Post Malone in 2023, Tony-winner Katie Kresek on violin, Broadway’s own Chris Cardona on viola and cello player Peter Sachon for the tours finals two-months. Markedly FFF’s eclectic style has brought out a wide-arrange of highly decorated performers.

    “If it’s summer, the Five for Fighting rock band is back in the bus! It’s always a thrill for me to play with such amazing musicians, Pete, Randy, and Sean,” said Ondrasik. “We look forward to playing songs people know and love and some of the newer songs like ‘OK (We Are Not Ok)’ and telling some stories along the way. See you this summer!”

    – John Ondrasik

    All dates for the Full Band and String Quartet shows are listed below. For more information and tickets, as well as to request a show, visit Five For Fighting’s website linked here.

    FIVE FOR FIGHTING FULL BAND TOUR DATES:

    Thus, July 11: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series @ Municipal Lawn in Sherman, TX (Free Show)

    Saturday, July 27 @ Mystic Lake Casino, Mystic Amphitheater in Prior Lake, MN (Free Show)

    Tuesday, August 6 @ Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA

    Thus, August 8 @ Electric City in Buffalo, NY

    Friday, August 9, 2024 @ House of Blues, Cambridge Room in Cleveland, OH

    Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI

    Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI

    Tuesday, August 13, 2024 @ Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC

    Wednesday, August 14, 2024 @ Oceanfront Concerts Series, 24th Street Park in Virginia Beach, VA

    Friday, August 16, 2024 @ Cabot Theater in Beverly, MA

    Saturday, August 17, 2024 @ The Wolf Den At Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT (Free Show)

    Sunday, August 18, 2024 @ Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY

    Five For Fighting Quartet Shows

    Thus, September 26, in Homer, NY, at the Center for the Arts of Homer

    Fri, September 27, in Saratoga Springs, NY, at Universal Preservation Hall

    Sat, September 28, in Corning, NY, at Corning Museum Of Glass

    Sun, September 29, in Bethel, NY, at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods

    Tuesday, October 1 in Oneonta, NY, at Foothills Performing Arts Center

    Thursday, October 3 in Nashua, NH, at Nashua Center for the Arts

    Friday, October 4 in Laconia, NH, at The Colonial Theatre Laconia

    Saturday, October 5 in Bethlehem, NY, at The Colonial Theatre

    Sunday, October 6 in Waterville, ME, at Waterville Opera House

    Tuesday, October 8 in Newport, RI, at The JPT Film & Event Center

    Wednesday, October 9 in Red Bank, NJ, at Count Basie Center for the Arts – The Vogel

    Thursday, October 10 in Port Washington, NY, at Landmark on Main Street

  • Luzerne Music Center Announces Summer Concerts

    The Luzerne Music Center has announced its summer concerts before the beginning of the 2024-2025 season. Hosted in the town of Lake Luzerne, the concerts showcase the talent of regional and local musicians. Moreover attendees can enjoy dozens of performances of classical music from local groups to national touring ensembles. Notably, a wide variety of shows will be hosted this summer throughout the town, including a Chamber Music Festival, student concerts, and the Faculty Artist Series.

    luzerne music center

    Luzerne Summer Lineup

    Kicking off the summer is the Luzerne Chamber Music Festival. The festival includes performances from musicians all over the Northeast, including New York City, Philadelphia, and more. Musicians of the NYC Ballet Orchestra kick off the festival on Monday, July 8, presenting a quintet and sextet playing pieces of Mozart and Brahms. Following the NYC Ballet’s performance is the American String Quartet on Monday, July 29, playing pieces from composers like Beethoven, Caroline Shaw, Vivian Fung, and Maurice Ravel. Lastly, the musicians of The Dalí Quartet and The Philadelphia Orchestra, with CEO and Artistic Director Elizabeth Pitcairn, close out the festival on August 5 and 12, respectively.

    Following the Chamber Music Festival is a series of Faculty Concerts, performed by faculty members of the Luzerne Music Center. Each concert incorporates music from all periods, including LMC’s composers-in-residence, James Chu and Connor Elias Way. The weekly Faculty Concerts are every Friday, beginning on June 28 and ending on August 9.

    luzerne music center

    Along with festivals, the Luzerne Music Center hosts free concerts featuring their own students. Starting on June 29, students of the Luzerne Music Center will alternate between solo and chamber showcases, displaying what they have learned over the course of the year. The LMC Symphony Orchestra joins them starting June 30, including a piano prelude for specific events. All student and LMC Symphony Orchestra concerts are free and welcome all ages.

    Additionally, the full list of all concerts being held in the Luzerne Music Center is on their website, linked here.