Your 2012 UMAF!! 9/13, 14 & 15th!

Don't sleep!! Save the dates!

Don’t sleep- UMAF 2012 Promises to be best yet!  September 13, 14 & 15

The 5th annual Utica Music and Arts Festival, September 13, 14 and 15, is already galvanizing into action.  Planning is under way and the community is again rallying behind this major cultural event in it’s 5th year running!  Basically, we’re AMPED to be back at it again and the vibe from the inside is, let me tell you, tasty!  This promises very, very good things this fall.  We want your help making this the biggest year so far, so please get excited with us and mark up your planners!  Half a decade!  You know children who haven’t been *alive* that long!  This baby  has, and it’s learning how to take right off on a dead run.

Set to again take place in various locations across the city, including The Radisson, Varick Street, and the Uptown Theater, the festival offers great regional and national music acts, family friendly fun through the Greens Fest portion of the weekend, and a chance to see our beautiful city.  Utica Greens Festival will be Saturday, September 15th on Varick Street and traditionally offers a showcase of local food and all ages activities.   Take a look back in the blog and on the official website for some of the fun we all had last year!

Mark up your calendars, update your Apps., and stay tuned to the Official UMAF website, Mohawk Valley Promotions, Tonic Productions, and this humble blog for all breaking details on this event as it takes shape.  Submissions of material, ticket information and outlet locations to be announced.

Organizers and promoters may be reached for questions/comments at the following information below:

Mohawk Valley Promotions:  mohawkvalleypromotions@gmail.com

Joe Sweet, Founder:  uticamusicfest@gmail.com

Advertising, Janet Stanley:  umaf.janet@gmail.com

Event Production Manager, Brandi Gall:  umaf.brandi@gmail.com

Greens Festival, Suzanne McGraw: umaf.suzanne@gmail.com

Press,  Melissa L. Walker:  umaf.melissa@gmail.com

And any of the amazing folks you know and love that make this thing happen!

Get excited, my beautiful people.  Oh, how I’ve missed you!

A returning festival family favorite, Randy Niles, at a recent show at Pier's and Blake

The maddest of loves,

~MLW

Please check out our fantastic friends at Pulse Magazine!  Official website, too.  Get you some!

Artist Profile- Rawson

Rawson will funk Utica up!  It isn’t the first time, it won’t be the last time, but the next time you get to see Rawson in Utica is during a little thing we like to call the Utica Music and Arts Festival.  Our dear festival family is returning to greet us with the sweat of their brow and the song in their hearts…and a little bit of booty shaking bass and beat business.  They know we like it that way and they serve it up every time, all the way from New York City with their patented “Rawson Roll!”

To hear Rawson is to love Rawson.  They’re a professional groove machine; a rock band, but with very heavy influences of blues and funk.  Jimi calls it party music, probably because a party breaks out everywhere they go.  My wardrobe malfunction alert is if the seat won’t hold, leave it home.  You’ll bust your old seams loose once the band gets going.  Jimi Sharp’s guitar is like a 5th member of the group, with him coaxing it to singing and screaming in big presence right along with Sean Rawson. Sean’s vocal is perfection in the mix, soaring and rasping, whining, exalting, and purring.  If you made a wish list, Rawson’s got it down. The groove is easy and natural like breathing as G and Edwin Alvarado do their swing, slam and romp thing.  The sound is full and slightly distorted and very uninhibiting.  Delicious!  Get some of that at our festival!

“It’s like a musical surprise party!”  Jimi Sharp

might as well...

Utica is a repeated stop for Rawson and they’ve just recently played at The Electric Company for a post Saranac Thursdays afterparty.  Social media is always a mess the following day with fans and the band commenting and interacting on the show.  I’ve never heard a bad word said on either side!

You don’t have to take my word for it, this is the age of the video upload.  Some flava for yo’ ear:

Everyday

Rawson’s got some big stuff on deck, including the new CD they have begun writing and a video in the works.  What’s in store for Utica?  “There will be a “RAWSON” GIVEAWAY at UTICA this year also, but you MUST come to the shows to find out what it is!”  That’s Friday, September 16^th at 11:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight at BLU and Saturday, September 17^th at 7:00 pm 8:00 pm at The Electric Company. 

 

“Our fan base is always growing and we love feedback from everyone. Please come up after the show! Chat, take pics, make yourself at home.” ~Jimi

Find Rawson on the web:

Rawson on ReverbNation

Rawson on Facebook

Rawson on Youtube (note the UMAF love!)

Attend the UMAF by paying a cover charge ($5-$15) on the door of most venues (a select few are freebies, cause we love U!) and subjecting yourself to a line, or go the smart route and purchase a weekend pass wristband online or at The Electric Company or the Tramonane Café.  Wristband means no line, you get first come first serve treatment in the event of a capacity fill for the venue, and you don’t have to reach in your pocket at the door.

~MLW

Artist Profile- Nevergreen

Nevergreen is coming for you, Utica, and they are bringing a monster sound you should prepare yourselves for right now.  This 5 piece rock band from Rochester, NY won’t hesitate to blow your hair back and they’ll charm you while they do it.

“Nevergreen is a blend of progressive rock and reggae for the most part.  Little riffs of metal in there, a little bit of hip hop sometimes, but we mostly stick to the rock/reggae stuff.  It’s kind of like No Doubt meets Incubus meets RX Bandits.  It’s hard to classify, but we kind of like it that way cause we’ve found that we’ve been able to appeal to 5 year olds and 55 year olds and 75 year olds.  It’s been amazing.  And we’re kind of clean in the way of our lyrics…it could be radio friendly, it’s festival friendly.”

This band kicks.  The players in the game are Sara Passamonte, lead vocals, J Passamonte, drums and vocals, Mike Ortolaza and Dylan Emerson on guitar, and Robert Smith on bass and vocals. The first thing you’re likely to notice is how polished and professional their wall of sound is.  The prog label fits here because this band is so tight it moves like one beast with several arms and the songs are thick and dark.  Sara shared with me that they were “math metal’ before she came along and started fronting them, and that will make sense to you when you hear the band.  That makes Nevergreen come out sounding pretty unique in the way they blend their influences.  Reggae is a genre that gets bent around and fused with other sounds quite often, but I can’t say I’ve heard it taken in a heavy alternative rock direction too many times before.  The combination is punchy like Ska but retains a driving rock beat.  “We have a universal appeal.  I think it’s important for people, when they hear ‘reggae’, to start thinking outside of the reggae box.  Because, we’ll be writing, and they’ll be working on guitar riffs and I’ll say, you guys are going all metal on me!  So I want people to know when they see that we say something like rock reggae, just think outside the box as far as what reggae means.  They’ll hear it.  I think it’s just kind of something for everybody, even within a song.  They might hear all different elements.”

Platinum Pedestal

If this is the future of pop-friendly radio music, I’m in!  I really have no doubt that anyone who attends Nevergreen’s show is going to enjoy them.  People to Paradise is my current favorite track and it’s pretty representative of what I like about this group’s sound because it wastes no time at all.  The beefy chorus is served up immediately and with force.  Sara’s vocal is pointed but very natural sounding and that provides a great contrast to what you might expect to hear fronting a band doing what the guys behind her are doing.

Recently, Nevergreen has played Rochester’s Boulderfest and are most freshly off a gig at the Club side of Water Street Music Hall that has created some great buzz.   Last year, Nevergreen’s Boulderfest slot was directly before roots reggae powerhouse John Brown’s Body.  The group is no stranger to success in Rochester, and is now looking to branch out more to the surrounding areas on small tour stints.

“We’re at the point where Rochester is comfortable for us…I’d love to line up something (in Utica) before and then immediately after Winter, even try to work it into a bigger trip…little three spot tours between New York City, Utica, Syracuse.”  That is exactly what I’m talking about.  Let’s build bridges.

“Two years ago I remember hearing there was a festival (in Utica) and last year it was solidified as the big event.  There is a lot going on here.  I missed the submission deadline and I’m like, ok, that’s on for next year.”

They’re bringing some merch to sling at you.  They have two EPs (4 and 5 songs, respectively) and will have their first full length record available also.  They are excited to have this project completed and hope you’ll be excited to listen.  Other fun miscellanea with the Nevergreen brand will be on hand for your perusal.

You don’t want to miss Nevergreen on Saturday at 10:00 p.m. at  Celtic Harp’s outdoor stage.  When you are out of your mind with sonic love, remember to mention to the venue people that you would happily come see the band again if they re-book.  The part the fans play in this process should not be underestimated, and Nevergreen wants to be your steady.

Tickets are on sale now online and at The Electric Company and the Tramontane Cafe.  Get you some!

~MLW

Artist Profile- The Rick Short Band

” I clearly remember walking out of a UMAF venue during year one, turning to my wife and saying, “This is so cool! I can’t just TAKE from this scene, I have to GIVE to it.”  So, I sought out the founders and stepped up. So glad I did. It literally changed my life.” ~Rick Short on being part of the UMAF organizing team, year 2

Utica Rocks! We know, cause Rick Short has been telling us for years! Maybe some of us already knew that, but the world at large has been getting this message for quite some time now by Rick’s firm support and furtherance of the campaign on Twitter and other social media to alert to unravel our secret.  All the juicy inside information like that has to be shared.  He bangs the drum loudly for our area and he supports the ideas of others in his community.  That isn’t all Rick Short does for Utica, and he heaps some more right on to that pile this coming weekend with the debut of his brand new project, The Rick Short Band! Live and in full effect at the Utica Music and Arts Festival!

Photo by Marc Goldberg

Rick compiled this band deliberately and systematically. “Throughout 2010 and 2011 I wrote a collection of about 30 pop songs and recorded them as demos so I could share them with other musicians. As much as I liked these pop songs, they just weren’t rock. So, I sat back down and wrote some more. This time I allowed myself to write only songs that were fast, hard driving, muscular rock. I recorded these songs as very spartan demos, using only one vocal track, one guitar track, one bass track, and drums. I worked under the guidance of Bob Acquaviva, an incredible recording engineer, song writer, and performer. He really guided my process well. Then, I searched for musicians who had the seasoned skills, as well as the energy to channel hard-driving rock music. One by one we all came together, and here we are, debuting at the 2011 Utica Music Fest. I specifically aimed at kicking things off at the UMAF because I really believe in it – so much that I served on the organizing team during year 2.”  Yes, Rick is Fest Family! The cream that ultimately rose to the top of his musician pile include Caitlin Carparelli on vocals and percussion, Nolan Snyder on lead guitar, Jim Morgan on bass, and Claude Schuyler on drums.  ”These artists are really talented, supportive, warm, mature, and energetic. These musicians are 100% positive, constructive, and focused on the song and the audience. I am blessed to know these fine people.”  That’s a glowing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one!

Muscular, fast, hard driving rock. I hate to rip Rick off shamelessly like that, but it’s a pretty apt description. If a bus carrying the Rolling Stones were to freakishly careen off course at the moment it were passing a bus carrying Vertical Horizon and collide head on, a van full of The Rick Short Band might magically pop out either side. American rock music with deliberate lyrics, a drive, some soul and a little bit of the blues you tend to get as you make your way through life. That is what is in store for audience members at the UMAF with this group. In Rick’s words, “Be ready to go.”  He also tips us off to keeping an ear tuned to Caitlin’s vocals which he glowingly praised. “She is a star.”

This guy is business!

Rick’s got some great advice for musicians coming to the festival from his experience as a performer and behind the scenes.  ”I recommend to everyone that they LEARN from every facet of the event. Learn from every sound team that you perform with or listen to. Each set-up is different, and each soundman is different. The engineers are very approachable – and eager to share. This variety of talent, all available in a compressed time frame, is an excellent school to attend. Don’t skip this one! I also recommend striking up conversations with every band member you can find. Learn how they book gigs, promote themselves, use social media, etc. Learn about other fests that are out there and find out how to get yourself booked there. There are a ton of skills that we all need, but it is damn hard to acquire them on our own. By sharing info, stories, and techniques, we make each of us better. My band tip: RAWSON! When I first saw them, my jaw dropped. I literally ran out of the bar, onto Varick Street, and started telling strangers that they HAD to get inside to experience this. I’ve seen them tons since and I am still stoked about their groove. We’re all now friends. Because of past Utica Music Fests, I am now friends with many song writers, performers, and engineers that I didn’t know one, two, or three years ago. These new friendships have provided me with tremendous insight and knowledge. I not only get to enjoy these people’s music, but I can ask them how they create it, play it, perform it, record it, promote it, and more. As friends, there are no holds barred. I’ve now got UMAF friends asking about cutting tracks on my songs, sharing info on various guitar tunings, discussing details of our guitar rigs, etc. I encourage everyone to tune in to the acts that really ring true with you, to reach out your hand, and to make some new friends.”  Wise words from Mr. Short!

“I am amazed (and I don’t use the word lightly) at the number of artists in Utica. Literally EVERY weekend I encounter someone new and interesting. We have a very broad community of talent. I am a product of the Utica, NY area. I am proud that Joe Sweet, Zee Donaldson, and Damon Call, started the Utica Music Fest in our home town. The Utica Music Fest, and its entire cast of organizers, performers, venues, and fans inspired me to write my new songs and put The Rick Short Band together. My original intent was to debut at this event, an event that has given me so much. And now … here it is! Here we are!”

Rick’s got t-shirts and stickers for fans at the festival! Make sure you get one of the shows The Rick Short Band is playing! Catch them on Friday, September 16th at The Electric Company at 4:30-5:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 3:15-4:00 pm at Sickenberger Lane.  You can also catch TRSB at The Tramontane Cafe on Thursday night. It’s not a UMAF show, but it’s something I think they’d like you to know about!

You heard the man! Use your internet to your advantage:
Rick Short Official
The Rick Short Band on Facebook
Rick Short on ReverbNation

A handy link for purchasing weekend passes to TRSB gigs and all of the other incredible things happening in Utica fest weekend!

~MLW

Artist Profile- The Audible Dark

“We’re really excited to create a place outside of NYC to stop every time we hit the road. “

The Audible Dark.  Sit with that for a minute and think about the image the words conjure in your mind.  If the dark had a sound, what would it be?  This band from downstate NY wants to give you their version of that picture, so they are hopping on the road and coming for a visit to the Utica Music and Arts Festival.

Stephanie Logan of the band has some Utica ties I’d like to tell you about.  Not like the ones on the Charlie Watts Riots, the other kid of ties. She’s from here!   ”I grew up in Utica and went to college in Rochester, so I have a lot of old friends and family ties upstate. So when the guys in Nova Cez Everything suggested we look into it, I was really excited for the chance to play in my hometown!”

Stephanie’s voice slams into your ears relentlessly, and I mean that as a compliment.  She has a very direct and precise delivery, an acute sound to her vocal, that helps drive the tempo of the songs forward with the pulsing rock music supporting her melody.  She’s also playing guitar.  The band is heavy but not oppressive or melancholy and the balance let’s you hear articulation and vocal nuances and flowing lyrics.  There is something inspiring and hopeful about the overall mix.  The guitar solos absolutely rip thanks to Lance Barnewold.  They’re very present at the front of the sound and screaming in tone.  Pat McCarthy’s beastly bass slides alongside Chris Infusino’s work behind the kit, and it’s rock and roll ready for release.

The Audible Dark just played The Trash Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (video above) and enjoyed the cooperative atmosphere of the other bands performing and the ‘funky vibe’ of the crowd.  I really just way to say, The Audible Dark at the Trash Bar in Williamsburg.  That’s a fun name smash up.  Also, I am confident and hopeful that they will enjoy the Varick Street experience similarly.

They’ve got a jump on the networking out of the gate.  Stephanie told me a little more about how involved they already are with other performers.  ”We’re definitely looking forward to seeing Nova Cez Everything play again. They totally killed it when we saw them here in NYC. Also, really looking forward to meeting Melia. She and I have talked over twitter, and I suggested they look into UMAF, so I’m psyched that we’ll be sharing the same stage on the 17th… I’m really looking forward to checking out the scene, especially the local acts, and getting a chance to make connections with other musicians.”

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The band has 2 EP’s out, Rainbows & Roses and self titled, The Audible Dark. The CDs and band t-shirts will available at the shows and the band is currently working on an album to add to that collection, so keep tabs on them over the internet for details as they develop.

They’re making the most of the trip.  Stephanie will play solo-

Thursday, Sept 15: 10:30 pm at The Celtic Harp

Friday, Sept 16: 9:00 pm at The Green Onion Pub

The Audible Dark full band-
Saturday, Sept 17: 6:30 pm at Sickenberger Lane Outdoor Stage

Bring it!

There are lots of ways to keep in touch with The Audible Dark:
The Audible Dark Official
The Audible Dark on Facebook
The Audible Dark on MySpace
The Audible Dark Blog
The Audible Dark on YouTube
Follow The Audible Dark on Twitter
The Audible Dark on Last.fm
The Audible Dark on ReverbNation
The Audible Dark on iTunes

Please purchase your tickets to this event in advance for a discount on the price.  Do it now!

~MLW

Artist Profile- Charlie Watts Riots

If The Charlie Watts Riots from Albany, NY were a painting, it would be of a strike of lightening. Or, maybe of some slick suited, larger than life types busting down a door in their fancy shoes- on a lot of amplification.  And that’s really why the CWR could never be a painting; wrong kind of static.  They’re just too full of energy for a stationary position.  They’re leaving the Capital Region to make some noise with us at the Utica Music and Arts Festival.

Gibson SG, yes please!

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Out of the box I will say that I love rock trios.  The arrangement is naturally led into a quick, clippy presentation that’s catchy like a virus.  I also recall the time in our nation’s great history when “Indie Rock” as a genre of music was just coming into the major consciousness…and I am pleasantly reminded of this nostalgic time by CWR!  I’m talking about groups like Apples in Stereo, Sunny Day Real Estate and Built to Spill when I make this comparison.    So you have some great, straight rock harmonies happening in CWR music.  You have a rapid punch to much of the guitar work, but also the stringy tremble tones you long for in your indie rock, on just the right amount of repeat.  The Charlie Watts Riots kind of straddle the fence between a rock and a poppy punk band and who minds that?!  Snappy dressers, too, this bunch.  “Fancy” Sethy Francy on guitar and vocals, Mike Pauley on bass and vocals, and Joe Putrock on drums are making the most out of their three piece puzzle.  Your unrestrainable humming is likely to add to the ambient noise.  They weren’t voted the Best Rock Band in Metroland Albany’s Best of 2011for nothing.

Utica triva time!  From the band, themselves:

• Mike played lacrosse at HCCC and used to play club hockey against a pick up team of old scrubs at Clinton Arena
• Joe once ran The Boilermaker.  It would kill him now.
• Fancy drinks Saranac Pale Ale like it’s water.

“We read about the festival and it sounded really fun.  It seems like after 3 years it’s really built up a head of steam and is put on, and attended by, people who love music. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that?”

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CWR are coming off a show in July with Super 400 at which they played to a few close friends…something like 500 people or so.  ”Sweaty. Loud. Rocky.”  That sounds nice.  On the horizon between now and rocking the U, “…we have a date where we’ll be playing 3 shows in just over 12 hours. And not one of them will be phoned in.”  The business attire is not for conference calls.

in.tents

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They’re hanging around to take in some shows with us, too, which is always fun.  ”From what we’ve read, it seems like Belikos and Winslow are now Utica institutions.  Missing them would be like missing the brewery tour.”  I can confirm that this is good information for you fest fans.They have a plan, too, Utica.  It starts with “Kicking new ass.”  Expounding on this strategy, the band commented, “We’ll be coming into a situation where most people know nothing about us, which means we’ll have to pull out all the stops to win people over.  That usually makes for a proper rock show.  We plan on giving anyone who shows up to Sickenberger Lane at 5:45 pm on Friday every penny’s worth.  We have a blast and do our best to bring the crowd with us.” Then, as we’ve heard many times before from bands coming to the festival, they’d like to come back if you’d like to have them.

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Here, do it.

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The merch 411 is The Charlie Watts Riots’ first record, Long Story Short will be available for your purchase, along with t-shirts and some free stickers and buttons.  Free!  I hear “Mike’s a nerd so there will probably be some sort of QR code thing you can scan with your smartphone and get free music.”

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CWR will take the stage at Sickenberger Lane on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. “…which, by the way, is 15 minutes after we get out of bed most days.”

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Come out in force to show them why this was worth spending some time in the daylight.

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CWR on the web:

CWR Official

CWR On Facebook

Follow the CWR on Twitter

CWR on Reverbnation

Why don’t you have your tickets yet?  Go get some at the Tramontane Cafe if you’re in the area.  Have lunch, they’re serving the official coffee of the UMAF, Utica Coffee Roasting Company!

~MLW

The Headliners of your 2011 UMAF

What do Ryan Montbleau, Caleb Hawley, and Michael Glabicki have in common?  Besides nothing with my rogue other headlining act, Hank and Cupcakes?  They’re all guitar wielding Utica, NY fan favorites…and they’ve all just been announced as the first round of headliners  for your 2011 Utica Music and Arts Festival!  Montbleau, Hawley, Glabecki and Hank and Cupcakes top the list of over 170  performers officially announced for the weekend.  The best news of all might be that all four headliners are returning performers to the area, the festival, or both.  2011 will surely surpass previous years as the UMAF gains ground and reputation as a major festival in Upstate NY.   Utica likes to make a good impression to keep you coming back for more!

~Michael Glabicki

Michael Glabicki is a musician of staggering appeal.  If you grew up in the 90s, went near a radio at all during those 10 years, or are a fan of rootsy, world flavored jam band music, you know Glabicki from his work with the hugely successful group Rusted Root.  If you are from the Mohawk Valley area, you know him because we are pleased to report that he comes back to visit us quite a bit!  I know the fan base is poised and waiting.  Glabicki is returning to Utica in September with his trio comprised of Preach Freedom (Root and the One World Tribe) and Colter Harper.  A rhythmic dance flash mob scene is predicted by me at this show.  All the ingredients will be in place including the extra feel good vibe.  Do not let the seats in the Uptown slow you down, Utica and friends of Utica.   Michael and friends take the stage of the Uptown Theater on Genesee Street on Friday, September 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Opening for Michael will be Caleb Hawley who I will get into in more detail as we go.  These Uptown shows give a great reason to stop next door to the other festival venue The Green Onion Pub for a preshow drink and to take a listen to whatever else might be happening in there at the time.

~ Ryan Montbleau

Ryan Montbleau is nothing short of a tour de force who has risen to the top of heap of singer songwriters on the back of his authenticity, vision, strong musicianship and a very well chosen cast of characters.  No stranger to the Utica area, Montbleau’s fan base in the 315 is already large and steady, making him an ideal choice to head up the fest.  This July, Ryan played a show at the KAC ROADHOUSE in Clinton, NY presented by Indium Corporation and it was a packed house.  Great buzz from that show, as expected!  They are currently touring in support of the latest album, Heavy on the Vine, which is widely available, as well as during the festival.  The band also did an exciting stint as Martin Sexton’s supporting cast (and he produced this album).  This is the real deal, if you don’t already know.  Somehow, I’m pretty sure you do.  The blusey music has a fluidity to it that speaks to its jazz and funk roots and is liberally peppered with a variety of instrumentation to intrigue the ear.  Ryan’s music crosses many styles.  As good a vocalist as guitarist, Montebleau sings songs that are about the human experience and they are catchy and relatable.  His vocal melodies  are colorful and rhythmically aware.   This  seasoned performer will please the masses (as well as die hard fans!) and universally get some hips swinging in the aisles.  Ryan is playing on Saturday, September 17th at the Uptown Theater.  As of this moment, it looks like local favorite Ryan Miller will be opening that show up.  Score!

~Caleb Hawley

If you've got AI assumptions, you may want to toss those ahead of time.

Caleb Hawley is a relative newcomer to the music scene, but he’s a returning artist to our UMAF.  Utica’s been ahead of this curve for a while now.  Hawley is a performer who has been cutting his teeth both as a touring artist and in a very respectable stint on American Idol.  He made an impression on the country the same way he did on Utica and the UMAF festival organizers and fans are excited to taste the new flavors his journey and recent experiences have brought to his music.  Hawley’s style is also in the acoustic/blues/jazz/funk vein, but often with a more present attack than Montbleau’s textured approach.  He is inventive and percussively playful and has a great singing presence.  The UMAF is offering you a great opportunity to get up close and personal with Caleb!  He is touring in support of his latest recording, We All Got Problems. Catch him at the Uptown on Friday, September 16th!

~ Hank and Cupcakes

Are you gonna tell her she don’t have a hit?  Ain’t the headliner?  I’m certainly not going to try to make that argument.

Hank & Cupcakes By: Tom Sands

I’ll take it back to our Seseme Street days now to tell you one of these things is not like the others, and there is NO harm in that!  Hank and Cupcakes is a downstate act worthy of your cash, your sweat, and your praise and if you haven’t seen them on their prior trips to Utica, I suggest highly that you do so now before they blow up and no one can touch them.  MTV has a bead on them, airing a clip from their single Ain’t No Love on Live from the TenSpot mere months ago.  They played The Roots Picnic in Philly this 4th of July, and they have been traveling around this great land and Europe blowing minds and taking their clothes off.  Usually in that order.  This duo is high energy with a very distinct punk flavor to their brand of pop music.  The press is plentiful, the fans are willing to lose their minds completely, and Hank and Cupcakse are ready to give you something to talk about!  The effects Hank works wtih alone are impresive.

this is my crummy photo from the Bug Jar show in Feb of this year- gear madness!

They return to the Electric Company on Friday, September 16th. and will rock you harder than most of the bands you will see comprised of twice the members.

There is no reason to wait to get your tickets for a deep discount before we kick it “advanced” on you  ($40 advance/$50 at festival time).Even at $50.00 this is a straight steal.  Secure your spot for the party of the year this fall!

~MLW

Artist Profile- Darwin

Darwin is an unusual trio of jazzed out trip hopish old soul time warping geniuses without a pretentious bone in their bodies and I am simply going to need you to come out to the Green Onion Pub on Thursday, September 15th to experience their Utica and UMAF debut with me!

Not so long ago, Laura Black and Zach Schoonover spun off popular Geneva band El Ka Bong to take a different creative direction. They picked up percussive master mind Adam Fryer, and hit their first collective show at Old City Hall in Oswego and their first festival appearance at The Upstate Boogie in August. Between the veer off and the launch from the gigging starting gates, Darwin coaxed and nudged their individual talents into a cohesive fabric of sound that you could never imagine in your head. I had the extreme pleasure of taking in the Boogie set and Darwin endeared themselves to me immediately. I not only can’t wait to see them, I can’t wait to see YOU see them!

Laura’s voice is from another dimension. You will think of Billie Holiday, trumpets, and timeless vocal jazz. Then the next thing you know, the music has taken a trip hop etron turn and you realize you’ve been secretly pining for years for a little more Portishead in your consciousness. Fryer being a jazz centered drummer is key to this project. He knows full well when a little is a lot and showcases his ability to shift down beats and drop in and out of syncopation. He is keeping your brain busy and playful. Really, each one of these musicians invokes that effect with their delivery. Zach is an excellent guitarist with a sound knowledge of jazzy stacked chords and the power of accenting Laura’s vocal and keyboard presence and the rhythmic spine behind it. His additional vocals are similarly on point. He seasons the mix to perfection. Darwin stands on the line of organic jam and blues neosoul and texturized esoteric head case sonics and they are glowing about it. They are young, shining spots of newness in a sea of the status quo and their sparkle will draw you. Orzo is my current favorite song and available on their demo which they will have with them for you at the festival. Laura’s vocal bounces on this track like it’s a trampoline of stringy chord moments and overdubs. Yeah, I really like this band. I’m not the only one. Check out the article on Darwin by Erik Jensen in the August issue of Upstate Live for some D love of a different persuasion. I’m calling myself out as a bandwagon jumper.

Orzo is very tasty cooked up by Darwin.

I really like the venue, too. The Green Onion Pub is my personal little sleeper spot to carve out a little downtime during the festival. Elbow room is tough to come by, since I am not alone in this opinion and the place is generally packed. The service is excellent, the drinks are fantastic, and the atmosphere is worth any wait you might get caught in for a chair. I’m excited about this Green Onion/Darwin pairing.

If you’re lucky, Utica, Laura will art up the outside of the demo sleeves like she did for us at the Boogie. Music and arts festival…I’ll put in a good word for you. They were awesome and you should get a crack at one.

Get to the Darwin show on kick off night, Thursday, September 15th at 12:00 am 1:30 am. at The Green Onion Pub.  Event page listing right ~~> here.  Come on, you know you took Friday off already. Don’t you feel a cold coming on?

Come to Darwin for the bewitching

Darwin on the web:
Darwin on Facebook

Darwin on Youtube

Tickets to the whole smattering of UMAF goodness, including the Utica Greens Festival are available online now and in good old fashioned print at the Tramontane Cafe in Utica, NY.  Other ticket locations to be announced.

~MLW

Artist Profile- Winslow

“We made the 7 hour trip to Utica and had one of best festival experiences we’ve ever had as a band. There was a tremendous amount of talented groups, great music loving fans, and a great staff of organizers. We’ve been hooked ever since! … We’re trying to make Utica dance and sweat a bit this year!” ~Maurice Martin, Winslow

Winslow is a professional soul powerhouse from Akron, Ohio. This is their third year making the epic 7 hour trek all the way to see what is going on at the Utica Music and Arts Festival and that says something about them and the fest itself! That’s no trip down the street! It deserves a little bit of your attention just for that reason alone and when you hear Winslow, you’ll understand the magnitude of the favor they’re doing you traveling in like this.

“Our music is a melding of soul, rock, pop, and jazz. We try to write what we feel, not write into a box. Today, everyone claims to be unique musically but many acts really pattern themselves after groups who have already made it. When people hear Winslow, they’ll see that we really do have a unique sound. If people are looking for a sound that you don’t hear everyday mixed with a high energy show filled with passion and precision, hopefully they’ll consider checking out Winslow! We’ve been working incredibly hard on new material. There is nothing like playing music for people who you know will really appreciate it. I would say that is it, we are looking forward to sharing our love and joy of music with everyone who wants to be around us and enjoy it. I’ll admit that we do take what we do seriously. I understand why people say don’t take life too seriously or you won’t make it out alive…but we throw everything we have into what we do. I would say that we are a band who is driven by passion and enjoyment of our art. Hopefully we’ll have some people out who are looking to listen, dance, and just have a good time with us.”

Winslow is Maurice Martin and his rich timbre on vocals and the general James Brown thang (and interview duties with me), Matt Tieman wailing on the saxophone, Curtis Tate playing the keyboards, Charlie Trenta coaxing a screaming guitar, Kevin Robertson thumping and slapping on the bass, and Jesse Marquardt behind them all swinging and knocking the drum kit along to shape the sounds in front of him. Think Eath, Wind and Fire for me for a minute, then bend that around a little bit of extra jazz and blues.   Scoop up a little Sly and the Family Stone while you’re at it.  Mr. Steven Tyler might say “slow gin fizzy.”   Expert saxophone licks dance in and out of soulful, funky guitar rifts and tick and filthy slamming bass behind a smoky vocal. Quarter Life is a slow number with poignant thoughtful lyrics and shows the diversity Winslow exhibits in working around their genre. Precision and liquid sax lines are the ever present unifiers in Winslow’s material. Your hips will be rolling steady all set.  I’ll need you to check out the live moment below.

“There is nothing like playing a show where every band walks off the stage dripping with sweat.”   I think we can provide quite a bit of that this year at the UMAF, don’t you?

Winslow provides a good example of making the most of the UMAF experience from a musician’s perspective. They’ve met and maintained contacts with Rawson and look forward to seeing Michael Glibicki again. They opened for him about a year ago.   And even better, “…part of the great thing about a festival that is this large is talent that you stumble upon when you aren’t even looking. I think thats the kind of experience we look forward to more than anything.” I know.  It’s like I pay these people to say these things.   I call it a collective conscious.  Synergy in truth.

I asked them if they’d like to make Utica a regular stop for them. “I’m hoping that by the time we leave town, we’ll have returned date already in the works. We all feel like Utica is too great of a place to only play once a year. So, keep your fingers crossed and tell some of the club owners in Utica to make the magic happen!”   This is a good opportunity for me to make this point.  As you experience Winslow and the other bands traveling in for the festival, if you love what you hear, tell your wait staff, bartenders, club owners and sound people.  Shoot a post show note on the venue’s social media pages or a pen a quick email.  These are things that you can do to join in the creation of an even richer musical experience in Utica, NY as well as for the bands who want to be a part of your scene!  Soap box moment over.  Thank you.

“It is a long drive from Akron, Ohio to Utica, New York, but it has all been incredibly worth it because of the friends and fans that we have made over the past two years. So, we hope that everyone who has enjoyed us the last few years comes comes to catch our set and brings a few friends.” Friends and family, a la your Utica Music and Arts Festival. That’s a beautiful thing that I know you’ll want to support.

(all photos by Lesley.Anne.K Photo Design)

Winslow dominates the Celtic Harp on its Outdoor Stage on Saturday, September 17th at 1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. to 3:00p.m.  They are sure to have plenty of merch including their most recent album.  Keep your eyes on their links for details on a 2012 release that is now in the works.

If you can remember Winslow Soul, you can find them online.
Winslow Official
Winslow on Facebook 
Winslow on Myspace
Winslow on Reverbnation
Winslow on Youtube, and
Winslow on Twitter

Purchase your tickets to this event here!

~MLW

Artist Profile- Saiah

“They can’t make you a star.  They just let you shine what you are.”  Saiah, Said So

Saiah from Albany, NY is business!  This hip hop artist is dropping confident lyrical statements all over beats and the state of New York and this September, Saiah hits Utica like a bomb.  Get him in the Utica Music and Arts Festival!

Saiah told me that he’s taken some time to review the history of the festival and considers it an honor to be a part of it.  I can dig that vibe.

“I’m a laid back type of guy that just likes to have fun, but there’s also a side of me that is a deep thinker, so that comes across in my music. “

Saiah is an artist that will have a wide appeal.  His lyrics are solid and he goes hard without being graphic.  He talks about drive and focus as a path to success rather than violence or revolution, and his focus is music.  His style is a bit laid back, but he flexes his ability to spit quickly across the tracks as well, especially in Turn in Up.  You want to lean back in it a bounce a little.  Oh yeah, he sings too.  Icing on the cake.

He makes the most of his live show experiences and told me a little bit about that.  “Recently, I’ve been on a summer tour that ends at Giants Stadium and all of the shows have been great but a few of them stand out more than others. I did a show at a club in the Bronx called D’Noise recently that had a great crowd and the live band really made it a hot performance. Then a little later I got up and free-styled with the other artists. It was good to go off the top of the head on stage. Every show is another experience that seems to stand out in it’s own way though.”  I think you’ll see that work ethic and ownership of craft in the video below.  Definitely check out the studio tracks for a clearer vocal, but you cannot beat the energy and presence in this video, in my opinion.  He drops seamlessly back into the hook.  Expert!

“People goin get critical when you go down a different route. They wish I would get the boot but they could never fill my shoes. Cause they swollen from folks steppin on my toes.  Now I smell out the liars like Pinocchio’s nose.”

Like a lot of festival artists, Saiah hopes to establish a lasting relationship with fans in the area.   “I would love to come back to the Utica area after this festival. I love connecting with fans and adding to my extended family…They should probably know the best way to find out about me is to walk up and talk to me. I always like to meet and talk to both new and old fans. Listening to the music gives a little insight to who I am but you can’t beat face to face interaction.

I’m just looking forward to seeing what happens from start to end. Meeting the other acts, interacting with the fans, and everything. Plus, every performance brings a bunch of new memories and it’ll be interesting to see what happens during this particular one.”

Saiah’s latest release, Hidden Treasure, is available digitally on Itunes, Amazon, or any other major distributor.  All links available through the main website, as well.

Catch Saiah at Sickenberger Lane Thursday, September 15 · 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

While you’re on the web, get some tickets to this event before the price increases again.

On the web:
Saiah Official
Saiah on Facebook

Saiah on Twitter

Saiah on Myspace 
Saiah on Reverbnation

Saiah on Youtube

~MLW