Antje Duvekot and Goodnight Moonshine (Molly Venter and Eben Pariser) delivered a holiday show at the Linda.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Jukebox – Music News Cuts – 12/20
Jukebox.
Blondie
Legendary singer Blondie is working with band co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein to release a new album. They’re deep in the works, and as of yet, no name has been released. On Bluesky, Stein mentioned it in a photo caption of a pic with John Congleton, who was a producer on Blondie’s most recent released album, 2017’s “Pollinator.”
Stein had confirmed the new project on BBC Radio 6. Her last album featured Joan Jett, Laurie Anderson and John Roberts. Charlie XCX was a co-writer.
Rock Tattoos
When it comes to rock band tattoos, a study by the tattoo shop LLTattoo in Switzerland found that Pink Floyd inspired the most rock band tattoos, followed by Guns N’ Roses and Rammstein in second and third, respectively. Pink Floyd, for tattoo ideas, was searched for 13,000 times a month, to Guns N’ Rose’s 10,600 monthly searches. Rammstein reached 10,500 searches.
The rest of the top ten are, in order, Metallica, Nirvana, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Twenty One Pilots, Iron Maiden, and Tool.
Mentor Dedaj of LLTattoo had this to say, “It’s very interesting to see which rock bands inspire the most tattoo pieces around the world. Rock music and ink are seemingly inseparable, and tats are almost obligatory to big rock heads,”
This study aligns with another study put out by TicketSource in 2023, although their second favorite was Slipknot. This study found that, overall, BTS, Harry Styles and Rhianna were the most popular music tattoos.
Slim Dunlop
Former lead guitarist for The Replacements Bob “Slim” Dunlop died on Wednesday, having been in ill health for years following a stroke in 2018. Dunlop joined The Replacements in 1987 and was with them through their original era, appearing on albums such as Don’t Tell a Soul and All Shook Down. His stroke roughly coincided with the band’s reunion, and they released an EP shortly thereafter to benefit his recovery.
Dunlop played in Twin Cities bands in the 70s, and had played with Curtis Almstead’s band Spooks, where he got noticed by The Replacements, namely Paul Westerberg, the lead singer.
In 1996, he toured with Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites. He released two solo albums to high praise by such people as Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams.
Suicide Homes – The Weird Side of the Internet
Suicide Homes – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.
I’ve been fortunate in my life that I’ve never lived in a flood zone. I lived on a hill that had had some mudslides, but nowhere near anyone. Biggest threat was to a driver at night hitting the straightaway street above. And no one I know ever got caught up in it.
But hey, me, first-world problems. Let’s go to the Bolivian city of El Alto, and eclectic mix of commerce and culture in the Andes. Most specifically, the Avenida Panoramica, and the geological truth the roadside tourists might not even see. Houses that open up into a very deep, very steep, very precarious cliff-s edge.
The houses have doors that lead to tiny patios that lead to a screaming chasm that each day threatens to claim the homes with even the slightest errant shift, the most pin prick mudslide. A hard sneeze could send dozens of homes into perdition.
They’re called “The Suicide Homes” and are lived in by a mix of merchants and shaman, who have considered stabilizing their properties through the use of offerings to the Andean deity, Pachamama.
It’s a story told around the world, though maybe not to this degree. These people won’t move, and will probably be moved out by force by the government. But they’ll make that happen. Because a people are tied to their homes, to their land. They’ll do anything to stay connected, and I’ll be even these people, if acting as real estate agents on their own behalf, would show buyers the wonderful view.
We might not see it like they do in the Andes, the whole thing with land. We fight for lots of things, and land is usually just territory where one thing or another is ascribed to. But we don’t feel tied to the land like a ghost might be tied to a hotel. We can and do just move, even if only down the block.
Will these people be there in a couple of years? Most people don’t think so. Heavy rains are a part of life there, and really, one hard sneeze.
Make sure you make an offering for them.
2nd Annual Django Birthday Celebration at The Linda – WAMC
(Saratoga Springs, NY – December 17. 2024) – The Hot Club of Saratoga and The Linda-WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio proudly announce The 2nd Annual Django Birthday Celebration taking place on Thursday, January 23, 2025. This event, commemorating the 114th anniversary of Reinhardt’s birth, promises another extraordinary evening with a concert, workshops, an open jam session, and dancing, featuring the sensational performances by Hot Club of Saratoga and headlining this year, Rhythm Future Quartet.
Django Reinhardt, an iconic figure in the world of music, continues to inspire generations with his revolutionary contributions to jazz and guitar. In honor of his enduring legacy, the Hot Club of Saratoga has curated a second electrifying celebration designed to captivate audiences and pay homage to the unparalleled artistry of Reinhardt.
The highlight of the evening will be a concert featuring Hot Club of Saratoga opening for the remarkable Rhythm Future Quartet. Renowned for their exhilarating take on Django and their masterful originals, Jason Anick (violin), Max O’Rourke and Henry Acker (guitars), and Greg Loughman (bass), will fulfill their agenda to keep the spirit of Gypsy Jazz alive and expanding in today’s musical universe.
Complementing the concert, will be workshops led by these accomplished musicians, providing attendees with an opportunity to explore Gypsy Jazz techniques and delve into the essence of this groundbreaking style on guitar, violin and string bass. These workshops aim to inspire and educate, fostering a deeper appreciation for Reinhardt’s enduring musical legacy.
The celebration will crescendo into an open jam session, inviting musicians of all levels to join in and pay tribute to Reinhardt’s innovation through collaborative improvisation and musical camaraderie.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
- Time: Workshops 4:45-6:15, Doors 6:30, Concert 7:00, Jam 9:00-10:00
- Location: The Linda – WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Albany, NY
- Ticket Information: https://www.thelinda.org/event/django-reinhardt-birthday-show/
- This event is sponsored and underwritten by Hot Club of Saratoga, The Linda, and Collar City Guitars
Join us in honoring the enduring legacy of Django Reinhardt and building the upstate Gypsy Jazz Community.
For more information: https://www.thelinda.org/event/django-reinhardt-birthday-show-2025/
Direct ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/django-reinhardt-birthday-show-2025-tickets-1105065603969?aff=oddtdtcreator
Contact: Chuck Kish, hotclubofsaratoga@gmail.com, 518-928-9414.
Hot Club of Saratoga: https://www.hotclubofsaratoga.com/
Rhythm Future Quartet: https://www.rhythmfuturequartet.com/
About the Hot Club of Saratoga
Hot Club of Saratoga is an ensemble committed to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Gypsy Jazz and to building a vibrant upstate Gypsy Jazz Community.
Press and Media Contact: Chuck Kish, hotclubofsaratoga@gmail.com, 518-928-9414
Ten Ton Mojo @ The Stanley Theatre, 12/13/2024
Ten Ton Mojo is based out of New York City, and recently opened for Quiet Riot at the Stanley Theatre in Utica. They are:
- Dave Anthony – vocals
- Scott Lano – guitar
- Christian Realmuto – guitar
- Paul “Sugar” Kane – drums and percussion
- Kenny Madden – bass
Photography by Lori Anne McKone.
“Song City” @ The Waiting Room, 12/10/2024
This month’s installment featured Aila Chiar, Luke Pascarella (of the E-Block), Maurizio Russomanno, and Nathan Meltz (with special guest Connor Armbruster).
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Billy Joel Tribute Stormfront to Appear at Strand Theatre
On Saturday Dec. 28, 2024 @ 8:00pm, the band Storm Front returns to the Strand Theatre for a night of Billy Joel music!
Storm Front plays tribute to the musical genius of Billy Joel. The band is fronted by singer/pianist Mike O’Brien and backed by his band Storm Front.
Their show consists of playing hit after hit of Joel’s musical catalogue with acute accuracy. and a few album nuggets for the diehard fans! Hits like “Movin’ Out’,” My Life”, “It’s Still Rock n Roll to Me” and of course, “Piano Man” will keep the audience singing all night long! Brought to you by Mark Abodeely.
$30 floor seats, $25 balcony. Tickets are available at the Strand Box Office; cash or check only or online at Brown Paper Tickets.
For details and the ticketing link, please go to www.mystrandtheatre.org. Doors open @ 7pm. The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY.
Please visit our website, Facebook and Instagram for a list of upcoming events at the Strand!
Show Detective – Weekend Shows – 12/20 – 12/22
Show Detective.
Friday, December 20th
The Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker, The Egg, Albany, 7pm
Presented by The Grand Kyiv Ballet & Artistic Space Productions
Join The Grand Kyiv Ballet on an unforgettable journey into a world of dreams, magic and triumph over evil. The Grand Kyiv Ballet, including the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine, invites you to a heartwarming experience that has thrilled audiences on the world’s stages for years.
It’s a Wonderful Life – Free Movie Screening, The Palace Theatre, Albany, 7pm
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
Thorgy Does Christmas, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
Thorgy Thor (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Eight and RuPaul’s All Stars Season 3 is touring her holiday orchestral ‘Thorgy and the Thorchestra’ show to more intimate settings this Christmas Season. Presented by Drag Me to the Stage LLC, and Conceived by Thorgy Thory and James Sheppard, Thorgy Does Christmas promises to bring the audience a holly-jolly holiday-hilarity variety show with singing, dancing, live violin, a real-time gift wrapping competition on stage with audience members, festive video projections, and of course… a Christmas miracle or two.
It’s A Jazzy Christmas, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs
“It’s a Jazzy Christmas” is returning to UPH!
When it’s the most wonderful time of the year, “It’s a Jazzy Christmas” has all your favorite holiday songs! This ensemble performs concert hall shows that feature the music of Vince Guaraldi from the Peanuts holiday specials and many other seasonal favorites.
Wrapped in the theme of an audio show (podcast, satellite or terrestrial radio…you chose!), their concerts take the audience on a holiday ride through decades of great music, stories and even a commercial or two! Audiences will even have a jolly laugh! “It’s a Jazzy Christmas” is the perfect concert to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
From Albany Veterans With Love, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
Phantogram – DJ Set, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm
Brian Kane and The Beginning, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm
Brian Kane and The Beginning’s Rockin’ Holiday Show!
Happy Hour at The Eleven with Mixed Roots (FREE event), Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm
Featuring a combination of distinct backgrounds and musical experiences, Mixed Roots is based in Albany, New York. They perform across the capital region featuring music from different cultural roots.
Rees Shad & The Conversations with opener Matt Griffin, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-9:30pm
Rees Shad made a name for himself as a wordsmith troubadour traveling the world sharing his particular blend of Americana storytelling. Several of his albums were warmly received by Americana radio and music critics around the world in the 90’s. He withdrew from touring in 2001, choosing instead to focus more on wider ranging compositions as he recorded music for theater and film.
Ugly Sweater Soul Party, Lost and Found, Albany
Tula Vera / Rat Motel / Canella / Grape Juice! No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
12/20 5:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Wheatfields Clifton Park
12/20 5:00 PM Rob Forman- Tinney’s Tavern
12/20 5:30 PM Eric Hoffman- Bootleggers
12/20 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well
12/20 6:00 PM Anthony Cubbage- The Scarlet Knife
12/20 6:00 PM Ben Zoleski- Spa City Tap & Barrel
12/20 6:00 PM Chuck Ayers- Powers Pub
12/20 6:00 PM Frank Murray- Indian Ladder Farms
12/20 6:00 PM Garland Nelson- Prime at Saratoga National
12/20 6:00 PM Jacksland- Carsons Woodside Tavern
12/20 6:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- Thirsty Owl
12/20 6:00 PM Part Time- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
12/20 6:00 PM Shine On- Bound By Fate Brewing
12/20 6:00 PM Stef Solo- Saratoga Winery
12/20 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Inn at Saratoga
12/20 6:00 PM Tyler Giroux- 677 Prime
12/20 6:30 PM Kev & Pete- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
12/20 6:30 PM Marcus Ruggiero- Other One Brewery
12/20 6:30 PM Rich Ortiz- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
12/20 6:30 PM Sheri Nolan & Peter Von Allmen- Artisanal Brew Works
12/20 7:00 PM Dave Porter- Hometown Pub & Grub
12/20 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena
12/20 7:00 PM Keller & McGowan- Cherry Plain Square #17
12/20 7:00 PM Litt Hour- Bunker Saratoga
12/20 7:00 PM Tiny Planet- Kraverie
12/20 7:00 PM Trevor Wheelock- Bunker Clifton Park
12/20 7:30 PM Its A Jazzy Christmas Show- Universal Preservation Hall
12/20 8:00 PM Brian Kane & The Beginning- Rustic Barn Pub
12/20 8:00 PM DJ Mic Power- Misfit
12/20 8:00 PM Matt Niedbalski Group- Nine Maple
12/20 8:00 PM Rees Shad & The Conversation- Caffe Lena
12/20 9:00 PM Aquanett- Vapor
12/20 9:00 PM DJ Tomb- Night Owl
12/20 9:30 PM The Schmooze- Spa City Tap & Barrel
Saturday, December 21st
Nicky Sohn + Holiday Mozart & Vivaldi, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm
David Alan Miller, conductor
Bokyung Byun, guitar
Karen Hosmer & Grace Shryock, oboes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sinfonia from “Christmas Oratorio”
Nicky Sohn: Guitar Concerto (world premiere)
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Oboes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 35, “Haffner”
It’s a Jazzy Christmas, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady
When it’s the most wonderful time of the year, “It’s a Jazzy Christmas” has all your favorite holiday songs! This ensemble performs concert hall shows that feature the music of Vince Guaraldi from the Peanuts holiday specials and many other seasonal favorites.
The Gibson Brothers Christmas Show, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs
There’s a reason why Ricky Skaggs pulled Eric and Leigh Gibson off the stage at the Ryman two decades ago and offered to produce their debut record.The same thing that led David Ferguson and Grammy Award winning producer and Black Keys front-man Dan Auerbach to co-write and produce their 14th album “Mockingbird” (2018) and release it on his own label Easy Eye Sound alongside cultural icons such as Hank Williams Jr. and Dr. John, the Gibson Brothers are the real deal. They can pick, they can sing and they can write a damn good country song.
Matty Deez Nutscracker Spectacular, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm
Get in the holiday groove with Matty Deez Nutcracker Spectacular!
Grateful Chrsitmas at The Eleven with John Hill (FREE), Lark Hall, Albany, 7pm-9pm
John Hill is a singer, songwriter, musician and entertainer based in Albany NY. A full-time working performance artist, John Plays Live over 300 dates a year throughout New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. Join us at 7pm, Saturday December 21st for a performance that will feature acoustic Grateful Dead and Christmas Carols & Songs.
Nefesh Mountain: The Love & Light Tour, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm
The New York based Progressive Americana group Nefesh Mountain Band has been hailed as one of the formative boundary-pushing ensembles in roots music. The band’s creators and dynamic husband and wife team of Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff have created a world and sound all their own; blurring the lines between their Jewish heritage, Bluegrass, Folk, Jazz and Blues with a masterful hand as songwriters, instrumentalists and composers alike.
Pony in the Pancake Holiday Show w/ Los Espejos / Haley Moley / Electric Turtle / Cooper’s Hawk / Rabid Children / The A.M.’s / Huntress Wizard / Nathan Meltz, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
12/21 5:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Yanni’s Too
12/21 5:00 PM Joe Adee & The Lug Nuts- S&S farm Brewery
12/21 5:00 PM McKrells Christmas Show- Parting Glass
12/21 5:00 PM Shine On- Artisanal Brew Works
12/21 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well
12/21 6:00 PM Adam & Tim- Spa City Tap & Barrel
12/21 6:00 PM Christine Spero- Panza’s Saratoga
12/21 6:00 PM Debbie Gabrione- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
12/21 6:00 PM Erin Powers- Inn at Saratoga
12/21 6:00 PM Franklin Micare- 677 Prime
12/21 6:00 PM Jeff Brisbin- The Scarlet Knife
12/21 6:00 PM Matt Evans- Powers Pub
12/21 6:00 PM Pat Decker- Prime at Saratoga National
12/21 6:00 PM Sean Lyons- Henry’s Tavern
12/21 6:00 PM Steve Candlen- Thirsty Owl
12/21 6:00 PM Tooty And The Motherplucker- Carsons Woodside Tavern
12/21 6:30 PM Dan Mellon- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
12/21 6:30 PM Dan Mellon- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
12/21 7:00 PM Completely Different- Kraverie
12/21 7:00 PM Junk Shop Mannequins- Cherry Plain Square #17
12/21 7:00 PM Matty D’s Christmas Special- Rustic Barn Pub
12/21 7:00 PM Neon Avenue- Unihog
12/21 7:00 PM Off The Reord- Bye I Brewing
12/21 7:00 PM One Heart- O’Slattery’s
12/21 7:00 PM Sugar Pill- Bunker Saratoga
12/21 7:30 PM The Gibson Brothers Christmas Show- Universal Preservation Hal
12/21 8:00 PM DJ Vision- Misfit
12/21 8:00 PM Donna Tritico Band- September’s Too
12/21 8:00 PM Hayley Jane Band- Ophelias Restaurant
12/21 8:00 PM Jack FU Quartet- Quarters
12/21 8:00 PM Matthew Steckler Quartet- Nine Maple
12/21 8:00 PM Nefesh Mountain- Caffe Lena
12/21 9:00 PM DJ Trumastr & DJ Intell Hayesfield- Night Owl
12/21 9:00 PM Nothin To Lose- Saratoga City Tavern
12/21 9:30 AM True Folk- Saratoga Farmers Market Wilton Mall
12/21 9:30 PM Catalyst- Spa City Tap & Barrel
l12/21 9:00 PM Ten Most Wanted- Vapor
Saturday, December 22nd
Nicky Sohn + Holiday Mozart & Vivaldi | Matinee, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 3pm
David Alan Miller, conductor
Bokyung Byun, guitar
Karen Hosmer & Grace Shryock, oboes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sinfonia from “Christmas Oratorio”
Nicky Sohn: Guitar Concerto (world premiere)
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Oboes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 35, “Haffner”
“A Joyful Noise!” Gospel Dinner led by Soulist Garland Nelson, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 5pm-7pm
Dinner and soul-cleansing music by soulist Garland Nelson with Lena’s Inspirational Voices gospel choir.
From “Bar People.”
12/22 10:30 AM Steve Candlen- The Scarlet Knife
12/22 3:00 PM Triple Trouble- Artisanal Brew Works
12/22 5:00 PM Joyful Noise with Garland Nelson & Friends- Caffe Lena
12/22 5:00 PM McKrells Christmas Show- Parting Glass
12/22 7:00 PM Tim Wechgelaer, Chris Carey & Drank The Gold- Cock & Bull
Bleecker Consort @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 12/10/2024
Winter Revels: Medieval and Renaissance music for the winter season.
Bleecker Consort brought many recorders and more to this month’s Music at Noon concert.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Recap: Shakey Graves with Buffalo Hunt at Empire Live 12/11/2024
Words: Rob Smittix
Pics: Tim Reidy
I (Rob Smittix) have been digging Shakey Graves’ music for a while now. I mostly knew of his music from the Audiotree YouTube recording and “Roll the Bones” was the song that reeled me in. When I heard about this tour coming to Albany, I immediately put it on my calendar. There’s only so much time in the day, so I never knew the connection between Buffalo Hunt and Shakey Graves. I though that Buffalo Hunt was going to be the common type of opener that you would expect from a tour like this, so I was surprised to see Shakey Graves and Buffalo Hunt come out together right off the rip. After playing a couple of tunes Shakey Graves introduced himself, Buffalo Hunt (Stephanie Hunt) then introduced herself as well.
Graves tells the audience that the funny thing is he lives with Hunt, they are married and they recently had a daughter who they take on tour with them. I had no idea. He then makes the joke, “yup we’ve have sex before and we’ll have sex again in the future.”
Throughout the evening Graves would leave the stage for Hunt to do her thing and vice versa and ultimately, rejoining forces again. Well now that I am aware of their connection, it makes perfect sense. I realize I was late to the game with that information but I’m sure I couldn’t have been the only one who didn’t know. I listen to so much music, I never really have the time to deep dive on any musician’s wiki information. Well enough excuses from me, I just saw the “more you know!” rainbow.
Back to the show at hand. Graves’ and Hunt’s harmonies were incredible together. I wish my wife and I could be a musical power couple like these two, I’m totally envious of any musicians that can pull this off. The stage banter was fun as well, at one point Hunt made a joke about farting on stage, classic! Then she asked “do like my boots? These are my wedding boots I wore them on my wedding day!”
I wore my camo jacket because let’s face it, it’s freezing in December in New York, I was wondering in a sea of flannels and big brimmed hats if my coat would’ve been too gangsta for this show but Shakey Graves was wearing pretty much the same jacket; I felt vindicated. If you know me, you know I don’t get down with boy bands but Graves’ and Hunt’s cover of Backstreet Boys’ “As Long as You Love Me,” was a nice touch, they turned it into a great song!
The duet of “Islands in the Stream,” at the end of the night ended with a kiss followed by an encore of Graves solo. Bravo! What an amazing night of music in Downtown Albany!
