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

Artist Profile- Castrophe Me

“We’re back this year because we see it as an opportunity to play one of the most important music events in CNY.” ~ Catastrophe Me

Catastrophe Me, the female-fronted alternative rock band from The Land of Oz, or Chittenango, NY for those not familiar with the area, will be returning to the Utica Music and Arts Festival this year and they’re just as excited as the rest of us for the show. “[The] UMAF gives us the opportunity to see many other bands and make friends with musicians all over the country. UMAF is one of the BEST music events in CNY ever!”

Catastrophe Me is comprised of Heather Brushell (Lead Vocals), Collin Brushell (Drums & Percussion) David Lupi (Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Vocals, Cello), Kyle Agley (Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars), and Deano Anthony (Bass Guitar & Screams!). The band has been noted for its solid rhythm section, guitar work, and the range in vocal dynamics and melodies. Heather has even been compared to the likes of Amy Lee of Evanescence and Lacy Strum of Flyleaf. “Amy Lee has definitely had an influence on us, she is brilliant! The comparison is both flattering and challenging, Flattering because Amy Lee is a pro that has been proved, and Heather is a pro that is being proven and growing all the time. It’s easy to see the effort that Amy Lee has put into her craft and Heather is driven in much the same way… she is teachable and growing as an artist.”

Catastrophe Me has been hard at work since last year’s appearance at the Utica Music and Arts Festival between local shows, releasing their debut full-length album, “Hello Bella,” and opening for the likes of Tantric, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies. “[Halestorm] … showed us a powerful example of friendship and encouragement. It was beautiful to hang out with famous people that didn’t treat us with arrogance because they have been there.” They’re driven, constantly trying to improve, and Catastrophe Me’s efforts are being recognized. Aside from a welcome reception by several Syracuse newspaper music reviews for their recently released album, the band won the 2010 Brian Bourke SAMMY Award for “Best New Artist” at the Syracuse Area Music Awards. “We worked hard to win the most popular band votes and came in second to House On A Spring. So winning the Brian Bourke Award was amazing because it was selected by the local industry professionals without us having to do anything but work hard and play the best shows we possibly could. We are exceedingly PROUD of that award.” As if that wasn’t excitement enough, two tracks off of “Hello Bella” have made it onto the soundtrack for XBOX 360 LIVE’s “College Lacrosse 2011.” “It’s awesome to be selected for something like that! It is our hope that people will become familiar with the songs, the sounds and the name of the band …”

Despite a taste of the success and fame, Catastrophe Me has kept a level head and could not be more grateful and hopeful for the fans and friends of the Central New York music scene. “We love to tell stories… and we love to connect with our fans in a real life way. ” They have received support for a number of prominent local bands, to which they could not appreciate more. “Nine Ball has been very encouraging to us … [as well as] Doug Rice from the former Torment The Vein and now with the new band Armed with Valor, and … our friends in Just A Memory (the former Augustine). Joe [Sweet, founder of the Utica Music and Arts Festival and Lead Singer of Utica band Nine Ball] is one of the coolest guys we know. He has a heart to help other musicians get a hand up, and an opportunity to present our music to a wider audience. Joe is like a shepherd for the Utica music scene.”  Through their local touring, they have seen the importance of central New York on music and they have nothing but the brightest outlook for Central New York. “The CNY Music scene is in the process of redefining itself. Historically, CNY has had a powerful music scene that has produced some great national artist and writers, and the current rebuilding that’s going on all over CNY will bring the local music scene to an even better place. A lot of people are beginning to associate CNY with the Seattle music scene!”

“UTICA ROCKS! … Catastrophe Me LOVES UTICA!!!”

To check out Catastrophe Me before they rock out at the Utica Music and Arts Festival, they have a few show coming up at The Oneonta Theatre in Oneonta, NY at 7:00 pm on September 3rd.

That's a freaking Sammy.

Definitely make sure to check them out at UMAF on September 17th at Sickenberger Lane at 8:00 pm! They are sure to put of a great show that you won’t want to miss and they’ll have some cool swag with them. The talented Sandra Jackson has designed new artwork for their merchandise and they’ll have 3 different t-shirts, a 6-song EP and the new album, “Hello Bella,” and a newly designed bumper sticker.

Take a second and check out the band on the web:
Catastrophe Me Official
Catastrophe Me Facebook
Catastrophe Me Myspace
Catastrophe Me Reverbnation
Catastrophe Me Purevolume
Catastrophe Me Last.fm
Catastrophe Me Syracuse Bands
Catastrophe Me CDbaby

Or, to book Catastrophe Me for a gig:
Catastrophic Management
Doug Brushell
(315) 263-1500
Email: catastrophic2@gmail.com

Get your tickets to the full weekend of events, including Catastrophe Me, with just a couple of clicks!

Final thoughts from the band:

“Mostly that we truly love the music and we truly love our fans. Our fans keep pushing us forward like fuel to our fire. We are just starting to get a little respect within the industry but we have three very important fans: One girl is about 18 and she goes to our shows and takes pictures, and is working on designing merchandise, the second one is 15 and she knows everyone in the band and even comes out to help us wherever we go. Our third fan just turned one year old around the time of our Album Release… her parents have had to different baby outfits designed for their beautiful baby. Our fans are just amazing!”

~Words by Matthew Paulini

Artist Profile- j. schnitt, Ryan Miller, The Archipelagos, and The Neon Marias

Sure, the 2011 UMAF has a proverbial wave of musicians traveling into the city to make beautiful music.  But it’s the local, working musicians who have risen to the level of support beams of the scene, and they are not to be taken for granted during this crush of visiting artists!  A perfect for instance is the treat it is to experience the music of Ryan Miller, j. schnitt, and their collective projects of The Archipelagos and The Neon Marias with fellow locals Gabe Lockwood on bass, Matt Wagner on synthesizer, keyboards, and guitar, and Rob Piperata on drums.  Well, ok, things get a little interesting with the role assignments and cross collaborations, and you need a guide book.  Please allow me.

j. schnitt has been making solo music on all potential fronts for a substantial period of time.  He has released something like 9 albums of work to date with no signs of slowing.  He can craft a lyric and melody that reaches inside and there is nothing I would call typical about his active and articulated picking and well placed chugs and progressions.  As long as I’ve been listening, he’s always had an intriguing ear for melodic rhythms and timing.  There is a lot of movement in schnitt’s music on many levels and it is both comforting and intriguing.  His roots began and spring from traditional singer songwriter fare, but he didn’t rest there long.  He has branched far out as a multi-instrumentalist with piano, “other things with keys, drums and stuff you hit,” accordion, bass, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, theremin, horns, sampling, audio manipulating, and knob twisting, to his clutch of audio paintbrushes.  He’ll add household objects into that mix and I’ve seen him play more than one thing at once.  If it makes a noise that intrigues him, he’ll play it.  He is painting pictures with words and sound and can’t be hemmed in.  He is telling stories and sharing an experience that speaks deeply to the journey of an authentic artist in the region and the human condition in general.  And, he has a stellar hat collection.  Let the links at the bottom of the profile be your friend.  You have a lot to catch up on.

Speaking Esperanto, j. schnitt and Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller is another area staple and favorite son.  Also with roots reaching deeply into the soil of the music community, Miller has recorded umpteen records as a solo artist and collaboratively with schnitt and others in projects such as MODUS, The Reuben James, and the aforementioned groups which I will get into in further detail.  The website is delightfully comprehensive, so check it out for a full picture.  There is a textured depth to the music Ryan makes that is special.  It is easy to respond and connect with the themes on which he writes and the ability he has of describing things which are difficult and necessary, beautiful and painful, most of the time with a damn catchy hook and a present sense of irony.  It’s poignant, real, and hopeful.  Acoustic or electric, it’s difficult not to hum along and enjoy yourself even on first listen, let alone once you reach deeper.  By this time, if this is your first Ryan Miller show, I suggest you mark up your calendars and prepare to explain yourself.  The most recent album The Flood, which I personally find to be the apex of his work to date and a regional desert island disc, is available along side several other projects and records at Ryan’s links below.  School yourself.

Liquor Store, available on Miller’s most recent album, The Flood

So far you have the history, it’s time for the now.  Miller and schnitt unite again in both projects, The Archipelagos and in The Neon Marias.  The difference is who is driving the ship and where the band members happen to be sitting.  Schnitt is the primary songwriter in The Archipelagos, and Miller takes the helm of The Neon Marias.  The other members are the same, Gabe Lockwood Matt Wagner and Rob Piperata.  Lockwood plays the bass.  Wagner plays keys and synthesizer in the Archipelagos and guitar in Neon Marias.  Pieprata is the drummer.  This diverse group of people have all been making music, wearing different hats, for long enough to be very good at mixing up dynamics and shaking comfort zones and seem to have no end of fresh ideas in collaboration. The musicians filter their ideas through different lenses to reflect their full spectrum of sounds.

Photo by Rick Short (UMAF performer!)

Everyone is playing everywhere, and here are the gritty details.  Pack the houses as all of the below:

Friday Sept 16th – Sickenberger Lane (outside)

10:00 pm 10:45 pm    The Archipelagos (J’s band)

11:15 am 12:00 am The Neon Marias (Miller’s band)

The bands are playing back to back sets – handy!  Event Page!

Miller Acoustic -
Thursday, Sept. 15th from 9:00 pm  -  10:00 pm at The Celtic Harp (indoor stage)

Miller and schnitt as a duo are also opening for the Ryan Montbleau band on Saturday, Sept. 17th at the Uptown Theatre!  Scored off an online poll done by the Utica Music and Arts Festival, this is democracy at work.

j. schnitt solo will be playing on
Thursday, Sept. 15th from 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. at The Nail Creek Pub and Brewery  ; and on
Saturday, Sept. 17th  from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Green Onion Pub.

Get yourself some music and info here:
Ryan Miller Music Official
Ryan Miller Official

j schnitt Official
j. schnitt on Myspace
j. schnitt on Bandcamp
j. schnitt on Reverbnation

The Archipelagos on Facebook

And purchase your weekend passes to the event here!  Early bird price exists until August 31, 2011!

This is simply because I can’t resist.  <3

~MLW

Artist Profile- Tumbleweed Company

    We’re going to try and make you dance. Don’t fight it.  ~Jeff Adamczyk

Tumbleweed Company is a rootsy band from Boston that I am pleased to introduce you Utica Music and Arts Festival go-ers to!

Welcome these fine looking kids to town, won't you?

Pleasantly blending folk, true rock and roll, blues, and roots country styles, this band should appeal to a wide variety of fans, including lovers of the jam.  There is some crunchy funk going on to treat your brain, too.  Think Honky Chateau and you’re close.  Each instrument, of which there are several, is solidly played and interwoven seemingly egolessly into songs along side vocals taken with the same approach.  Nothing, even the guitar solos, are screaming at your ear, and they don’t need to scream to catch your attention.  The melodies tempt and tease and round out into a smile on your face in no time.  Particularly, this band is made up of Ryan Toll (Vocals, Guitar), Jeff Adamczyk (Vocals, Mandolin, Piano, Organ), Derek Toa (Guitar), Will Cafaro (Bass), Jayme Tardiff (Drums), and Dana Osterling (Vocals, Cello).  The vocal harmonies achieved in Tumbleweed Company’s songs are nothing short of impressive.  Though different in style, I am reminded of fellow festival artist, My Pet Dragon.  Allow me to reassure you that you will get your dance on to this band.  Your feet will start taping right around that point that the smile takes you over and I encourage you, as Jeff said above, to give right in.

Oh, just take a look for yourself, it’s fun!

This will be great at the Electric Company!

Dana Osterling grew up in Fairport, New York, and we have her to thank for knowing what is up with Utica and encouraging the band to submit.  They’d like to extend their travel to Utica on a regular basis if you’d like to have them, so make sure to check out what you are being offered.  They’re looking forward to catching the Ryan Montbleu set and meeting the band, which gives me a good opportunity to drop a little knowledge that is little known to the public.  Most of the RM band is strongly rumored to be showing up for an epic jam at the Nail Creek Pub after their set!  But more on that later.  This is about why you’re going to like the Tumbleweed Company so much.

The last show the Tumbleweed Company rocked was a house party in Western Mass that sounds like it has a UMAF type vibe, “amazing food, and really good company.”  (Jeff)

I think you’ll enjoy their company!  You can nab their CD and t-shirts at the show to keep them close to your heart as you are missing their soulful sounds.

Get out to the Electric Company on Saturday from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. to catch them.  Check out the Greens Festival area while you are at it and get some greens on.

Take a second and check out the band on the web:

Tumbleweed Company Official
Tumbleweed Company on Facebook
Tumbleweed Company on Twitter

Tumbleweed Company on Myspace

Tumbleweed Company on Reverbnation

Get your tickets to the full weekend of events, including the Tumbleweed Company with just a couple of clicks!

~MLW

Price Chopper Presents the 2011 Utica Greens Festival!

If you’ve attended the Utica Music and Arts Festival in years past or are into the Facebook frenzy of promotion happening 24/7, then you’ve heard mention of this Utica Greens Festival.  I’d like to light that situation up for a moment because this year is going to be really big for Greens Fest!  Saturday, September 17th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. you can wander your hungry and ware purchasing selves to Varick Street and head for the tent!  Price Chopper Grocery Stores are a presenting sponsor, and we are grateful to again be working with them on this project.

Carmel corn!

For starters, this part of the festival is your family friendly fun.  Kitty Glitter will be romping around the place making general fun wherever she lands.  You can learn more about that here in a separate post.  There is a stage with live music and for $10.00 you can purchase a ticket to sample many of the unique and delicious culinary items that are local to Utica.  Area restaurants will have the infamous Utica Greens dish available, which the Greens Fest is obviously named after.  It’s a good bet you will see things like Tomato Pie and Chicken Riggies, pusties and half moon cookies, Italian pastries in general like you only dream about.  Utica Coffee Roasters will be vending!  Much love to those people and their great coffee and message!  I know Fratello’s Pizzeria and Orapello’s Wood Fired Pizza is coming.  So is Mentolarro’s Cafe.  You will get to try out SmokeyNotes Foods if you haven’t already.  Click that link, Matt is a great friend of Varick Street and the musical community and the food is fantastic!  The Candy Corner will be representing their fine assortment of sweet treats to round out your palate.

Ree Love and Kimberly Chiro Howard Preston of the CNY Derby Phodography.com

Vendors will be around with nonedible items also.  Meyda Tiffany will have a booth of their exceptional work.  Chester’s Flower Shop will have a table, Loosen Up Massage Thereapy will help you release all of the lactic acid you built up in your muscles from the dancing Thursday and Friday nights, and Ramon Aiello will have space to showcase the truly amazing photography he does with Phodography.com and Fetish By Design Photography.  You’ve already seen some of Ray’s great work on this blog.  He’s one of the people behind the scenes keeping this festival running along smoothly, so show some love.  Other area artists will be peppered around as well, including MMB Inspiration Jewelry.

I’m not even close to done.  This year, as I said, things are huge.  Some of the best news is that the Roller Derby is coming! I’m quoting from the event page here “CNYRD will be on Varick St. hosting a special exhibition bout with two special teams created to show off the finer points of Utica. The Mean Greens will face off against the Chick Riggies to show off some awesome derby skills along with music, games and giveaways.”  The Mean Greens v. The Chick Riggies? Perfection!  Keep an eye here for more on that.  I will be speaking with some of the derby gang in no time flat.

Gotta double this up to get you as many chicks in skates as possible!

These two photos of derby are also by Ray- www.phodography.com

We don’t think you’ve had enough fun even then, so we’re having a Zumba party! From the Zumba Street Bash event page:  “[organizers worked to] introduce ZUMBA and its dynamic music as part of this ANNUAL UMAF EVENT and dancing ZUMBA with reckless abandon on the Streets of Utica is going to be a blast.  Led by Kerry Daly, Lisa Lallier Murphy, Jeannie Borgia-Wolcott, the UTICA ZUMBA CREW from the SPOT – 1712 Whitesboro St. Utica – Sue and Travverse Crawford, Teoka Muhammad, and ELizabeth Zagorica.”

I told Kitty Glitter to pin that tail on extra tightly!

Come down to Greens Fest to get your daytime fun on!  Many more vendors to be announced in the coming weeks!  If you would like to be one (vend, friends!), please follow any of the Greens Festival links to for more information or contact me directly.   Your admission is free if you have one of the weekend passes and if you don’t, you can pay your $10.00 admission when you hit the gate at Varick Street.

Full list of vendors at Greens Fest:

Loosen Up Massage Therapy
SmokeyNote Foods
Mr. McGills
Fratellos
Kitty Glitter
Montellaro’s
Casey’s Deli
MMB INSPIRATION
Pampered Chef
Skinography Ink
Candy Corner
Chester’s Flower Shop
National Brain Injury Foundation (NBIF)
Orapello’s Wood Fired Pizza
CNY Roller Derby
Meyda Lighting
Shaklee
Hand Candy Mittens
Utica Coffee Roasting Company
Healing Intentions
Gelston Castle Estate
Leaf Loaf & Ladle
Roma Sausage & Deli
Paesano’s Pizzeria
Flat Iron Pizza
Spy Ninja Designs
American Red Cross
Strangers Helping Strangers
Saranac Soda Booth
Radisson Hotel
New York Sash
Myoura’s Taste of Cambodia
Blub Blub Hookah Hub
Nola’s
Zeina’s Cafe
Romp and Stomp by D & S
Hotel Utica
O’Donnels Pub & Grill
Star Bakery
Steven Swan Humane Society

~MLW

Artist Profile- Scott Danger Bravo

Scott “Danger” Bravo from Syracuse, NY would like you to think he is “a drunk that plays a little guitar,” but I am here to tell you that the talent is no joke.  This will be his third consecutive year with the UMAF and it caught his attention as a good way to dive into the CNY music scene.  He’s been through the area a few times at venues in the Mohawk Valley in the meanwhile, gathering steam.  I’m confident that anyone who catches one of his performances will walk away impressed.

Drinking in a restroom is economy of motion.

Some extremely beautiful acoustic guitar pours out of the soul and fingers of Scott Bravo.  He ranges from classical to jazz to funk to rock and frankly reminds me of Lindsay Buckingham’s style a good bit of the time, so there is some bluegrass in there also.  He is an artist creating, weaving textiles of sound, layer upon layer.  The instrumental songs he crafts are so interesting to the ear that the lack of a vocal is entirely inconsequential.  It would probably ruin it, and that’s a crazy thing to hear a singer tell you.  This music will free your mind and send it dancing.

Things that keep him coming back?  “The booze.  Great bars and great local beer…[the] Saranac Brewery, the Nail Creek Pub, and Hotel Utica are always fun.”  And the fans and friends he has made aren’t bad.  “NY’ers are generally friendly.”  A favorite memory from last year for Scott is “getting plowed with other musicians at Saranac Brewery.”  We can’t have him imbibing alone, now can we?

Ironically, his next show is at The Tramontane Cafe, which is a fantastic venue that serves not a drop of alcohol.  This will be a great show, and I highly encourage you to check both it and The Tram out.  Go to that place hungry, people.  The food!

Here is a clip of him at a past Tram performance, playing New York Smile:

Beautiful song!

Scott will be coming prepared to the festival this year with t-shirts and download cards with links to digital music.  If his music moves you, tell him so.

2010 UMAF at the Green Onion Pub, photo by Walter Romero (feature photo also by W. Romero)

Venue and time slots for Scott’s performances fest weekend will be forthcoming with enthusiasm.  My hunch is that he’ll be in the GOP again this year, but time will tell.  Anticipation is a turn on, so they say.

Meantime, check him out online:
Scott Bravo on Reverbnation

Buy some tickets to this festival, please!

~MLW

Artist Profile- The Darling Vendetta

“If The Queens of the Stone Age got together with Kings X and went to The Viper Room to see David Bowie, The Darling Vendetta would be the opening act.  It’s straight forward free range rock, with no extra filler or artificial by-products, and influenced by times when rock music was more concerned with the feeling, rather than the slickness of looks and production.”  Chris Cooley, The Darling Vendetta

First of all, that is freaking awesome!  Free range rock!

What can I say about The Darling Vendetta?  History in the regional music scene runs deep here.  Christian Lewandowski was the flutist and vocalist in the group Love Scene Clear which I am sure many, many people recall very fondly, myself included.  Influential sounds!  Dave Sned is an award winning acoustic singer/songwriter as well a drum instructor, and Chris Cooley has played guitar on the scene in bands for years and when he isn’t doing that, he’s behind a board mixing their sound.  Everybody who knows anybody knows the DV crew and with solid reason.  The band arose from some lose jamming that evolved into a gig opportunity over the Halloween season of 2009.  From there, things snowballed and the response was intense.  “Utica is a small enough town that most of the musicians know, or know of each other.  It makes for some interesting camaraderies and most of the musicians are truly supportive of each other.”

“We are definitely looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our music for a wider range of people that wouldn’t normally be out seeing bands.  Besides, we have to show all these other bands from out of town that these Utica boys can rock it too, don’t we?”  Yes, Chris, you do!  I do too!  Today, Utica, tomorrow the world!  Chris also told me he thinks the UMAF is an important event for Utica because it showcases original music that is happening here and steps away from the cover band scene that we all know is always alive and well in just about any city in the country you find yourself in.  We’ve got some solid cover bands, for sure, but to have original musicians be able to create and work near to the place they call home is a truly beautiful thing.  Something to be nurtured.

The Darling Vendetta have an appearance coming up at ARCStock, an outdoor event put on by the ARC in Wampsville and they’re excited to be able to be a part of an organization that is helping people.  I like to let you know when the music’s got a heart, what can I say?

The Darling Vendetta has a 5 song EP that will be available for purchase at their show at a friendly discount to you, music experiencer.  If you can’t wait, it’s also available on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Take a moment and check this out, live from The Electric Company.

I want you to keep an eye on the Friday night schedule at Sickenberger Lane because The Darling Vendetta are going to rock it, and details are forthcoming about exactly when.

The Darling Vendetta on Facebook

Buy your UMAF weekend pass for the shows!

~MLW

Artist Profile- Brass Knuckle Intercourse

Brass Knuckle Intercourse is an all star conglomeration of all things hard and heavy.  It is a twisted romp of theatrics delivered like a punch to the nose that has been thrashing Utica, NY and the surroundings for years now.  They rise in the evenings from the Electric Company and they will bust you up proper at the Utica Music and Arts Festival.  I am suggesting you get ready and get in there.  Original music, hard, fast, and relentless.  Something that sets BKI apart from the usual hard and heavy pack is that they dabble in some hip hop tinged hardcore right along with their metal and punk sounds.  It’s a well rounded soundtrack for a night with your closest crazed maniacs.  Toss in a costume or two, and we’re off!

Halloween show at the Electric Company 2010. I was in there, and it ROCKED!

The cast and crew of this gang are none other than St. Onge on lead vocals, Matt “Romper Stomper” Ossowski on lead guitar, production, and videography, the illustrious Mr. Zee on the bass and back up vocals, and Lenny Milano, Jr. on the kit.  You can expect to hear those names a lot while you are in town and chasing the links will give you some idea of the many talents of these folks.

Videography, you say?  Oh yeah.  I invite you to browse around the youtube for a multitude of videos and short films (Halloween promo for the show pictured above is a must!), but for now, check this.  Self described Utica Street Rock- full volume.

That’s your Hotel Utica, people.  Multimedia grassroots cross promotion in action.  Mr. Lewandowski from The Darling Vendetta guest spot.  You can see them at the festival also!  What a coincidence.

It’s worth saying that the members of the band are heavily involved in the community…most of them are up to their elbows in the festival in one way or another, either planning and organizing it, playing in it, photographing it, and most certainly promoting it.  These crazy costumed people are very invested in the space in which they spend their time.  The band itself plays a good number of charity shows also.  Heavy with heart from the roots up!  East Utica represent!

BKI’s CD, Cradle to the Grave, is in progress and with any luck it will be available for purchase festival weekend!

We’re lucky to have Brass Knuckle Intercourse!  Get in Sickenburger Lane  on Thursday, September 15th and get some!   “We are bringing in some special guests to come jam/rap (hint hint) with us. “  That is the word on the street and to me, that smells like Belikos.  Anything could happen, people, this is Utica.  It’s like Vegas, just colder.

 

what they said!

BKI in cyberland:
BKI on Facebook
BKI on Reverbnation

Buy some tickets!

~MLW

Artist Profile- The Moho Collective

The Moho Collective could be described simply as a three person instrumental fusion group.  That would be kind of a weak description, but fairly accurate.  At least, it would be if these three things in the band were human beings.  I, however, have my doubts about this, and that has to be mentioned right off the bat.  These beings are not people.  They were clearly constructed by some musical mad scientist in a basement somewhere purely to bend your mind out of joint and improve the overall flow of your life energy.  Utica loves this band.  Rochester loves this band.  They just wrapped an east coast tour, and I’d venture to guess every stop they made, people loved this band.

All theatrics aside, because Moho needs none of them, this is extremely thoughtful music.  It’s instrumental, so I am not saying the lyrics are thoughtful, but that the musicians are thinking the entire time they are playing.  It’s heady.  There are only three of them, and live, they will play something like 15 instruments for you.  Often more than one per person at a time.  They’ll switch it up in the middle of a song.  No, not just the tempo, the instruments they’re playing.  Kurt Johnson, the guitarist, plays a lap steel, several styles of guitars one of which is a slide, and an assortment of pedals and amp heads that’s impressive.  Justin Rister primarily plays the bass, switching between an electric and a giant upright, but also is known to shake and rattle whatever is around to contribute.  Ryan Barclay, the drummer, plays the drums, some sort of gong, controls whatever samples may be being used, and the didgeridoo.  I watched him change out cymbals on his kit while he was keeping time on the high hat.  You see what I’m saying?  Why would I lie to you?

The sound is one part shred, one part blues, a dash of meditation and chi clearing (oh, that sounding bell!), and a little chakra alignment.  It’s progressive, shamanistic trance inducing auxiliary percussion laden free jazz madness.  Just when you’re sure the floating sounds are carrying you away, Moho grounds you with a stomp of one of Johnson’s pedals and a screaming blues rift.  It’s nasty!  Every member of this band is very percussive minded.  Did I say it wasn’t normal?

So there’s all that.  Then, they sweeten the deal by  being extremely hard working and unpretentious musicians and the cherry on top is that they truly love Utica.  I know this, because they talk about it almost as much as I do.  Ok, perhaps not quite.  But last year after the fest, they penned a blog of crazy love to the 315 and the Saranac Brewery that included a vignette about the brewery tour and the beers produced.  After rocking the Green Onion Pub their first year with the fest, The Moho boys have been back every opportunity they get playing a few well loved venues.  We had them at Mardi Gras Utica (which is where they first blew my mind), they’ve been at The Other Side and Cafe Domenico, and I’m fairly sure they’ve done their tour of most of the Varick Street venues as well by now.  If not, start booking them!  Uptown is all over it and is showing you up!

Check out a little promo slice from the CD Release show in Utica 4/29/11:

AND, you can get a pint glass with their name on it!  I know, cause there is one on my desk this very moment as I write this (if only there was something *in* it).  I  had the pleasure of some mid-day meditation of the Moho persuasion at the Hochstein at High Falls lunch time concert series last week.  Please and thank you! Come get your ish!  Bring some cash!  They take cards, too.  Nobody is screwing around here, they need to put some gas in that van; they’ve got a lot of places to go!  They’ll have the self titled disc with them and more fun random merch than you can stuff into your cargo pockets and purses.

Catch the Moho fever this time around or do not complain to me later that you don’t know what I’m talking about.  And I”ll hear you, you know I will.  Full venue and time details coming soon.

Think links!

Moho on MySpace

The Moho Collective Blog and Videos

The Moho Collective on You Tube

Moho on Reverb Nation

Moho on Pure Volume

The Moho Collective Official Website

If you want to book this band, and I know that you do, you can get in touch with Greg Jackson of SbN Studios -he can be reached at management@twcny.rr.com.

~MLW

Artist Profile- Belikos

Begin to fan the burgeoning flames of excitement, festival goers.  Belikos from New York City is heading back upstate to their 4th year at the UMAF!  Fresh off a live recording at The Electric Company on July 8th, the band is as excited as the fans to exchange some massive energy inside the EC.  They are headlining both Friday and Saturday with shows at 12:00 midnight and it will be a packed house on both occasions!

The fest’s relationship with this band  is one of my favorite Cinderella Stories in our history because it’s a great illustration of what the whole thing is about.  Since their first year with us, Belikos and Utica were a match and they return frequently to partake of both the show scene and the local culture as well.   As I understand it, they are on life contract with our festival, per Zee, illustrious owner of the Electric Company.  “Obviously we love the EC, it’s our home away from home and Zee is like our crazy uncle…Love Voss’, Nail Creek (I mean, where else can you get a side of Utica Club with dinner!), the brewery, and the list goes on and on…we just love Utica!” -Keith Reed (bass).   Belikos is family returning to visit you, and a talented family it is!

I expect you to be familiar with this band, but if you’re not, I’ll attempt to bring you up to speed.  Belikos is (excerpt from their fb page, in their words): Shane Maux – vocals, fancy footwork; Aaron Orr – vocals, acrobatics;Keith Reed – Bass, fabulous hair; Ethan Hampton – Guitar, vocals, assless chaps; Justin Hampton – Drums, stoic stone face.

How’s it sound?  You’ve got some very high energy, talented word smith spitting and a bounce in the groove you’d expect from a hip hop fusion group of high caliber, but where Belikos takes an interesting turn is what this happens over.  The music behind the mix of singing and rapping often meshes moments of psychedelic funk with the barely restrained energy of the power pop punk that forefronted the movement…all in the same 5 or 6 minutes and without a stutter.  The live band is kicking at all times.  Incubus meets Kravitz meets Linkin Park and the Chili Peppers.  Uncanned awesomeness bursting down your eardrums.  Call security.

Wild times in store to kick Fall off right!  And, they expect to have copies of the live CD available for purchase by then!  I know I will be picking one of those pieces of history up and bringing it home with me for posterity.

Do not miss the shows Friday and Saturday night at 12:00 midnight at The Electric Company!  Get on up!

Another great photo by Ray!

Get ‘em on the web:

Belikos on Facebook

Belikos Official

~MLW