Influenced by early 20th century Americana, The Reverend Kingfish is on a mission to keep this era alive by mixing blues with Django-esque jazz, Tin Pan Alley, and vaudeville. Sipping from an entire whiskey bottle in between songs, Kingfish has a smooth demeanor that makes you feel at ease. He sings free-spirited sentiments about adultery, […]
Katie Halligan
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POP ROCK | The Burkharts
Friends since grade school, The Burkharts found a natural chemistry after starting to mess with instruments around the same age. Based out of Buffalo, The Burkharts is a five-piece alternative-pop rock band with a laid-back, feel-good delivery. After a few lineup changes and a name change, The Burkharts is currently working on its first full-length […]
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Interview: We Banjo 3
We Banjo 3 is an Irish-Americana fusion band that is reviving the banjo’s opulent heritage.
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AFROBEAT | Continental Drift
In a multilayered ocean of sound, Continental Drift delivers a funky wave of Latin jazz, psychedelia, soul fusion, Afrobeat, and electronica. Crashing in from Austin, Texas, the band has toured extensively since forming in 2014, celebrating a self-titled, debut EP in 2015 and a full-length album in 2017. Continental Drift’s music is mostly instrumental, peppered […]
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JAM ROCK | Extended Family
Enjoying each other’s company since 2004, the members of local jam band Extended Family are currently working on a much-anticipated third studio album. A tight-knit inclusiveness is reflected in Extended Family’s music, with songs about perseverance, hope, being grateful, and building community. The band blends folk with pop, alternative rock, and roots music, transitioning from […]
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JAZZ FUSION | My Vegan Uncle
No two shows are the same for the ever-developing local jazz-rock quartet My Vegan Uncle. Formed in 2017 at Roberts Wesleyan College, My Vegan Uncle performs heavy and quirky soul-funk fusion, with its talented members weaving in and out of complex chord progressions with fluidity and fervor. The light-hearted musical chemistry between the band members […]
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ROCK | Flux Capacitor
Since forming in 2007, Flux Capacitor has toured internationally and celebrated four studio albums, including its 2018 release, “Set to Gravitate.” The trio of brothers – guitarist Peter Specht, keyboardist Michael Specht, and drummer Jason Specht – shares an almost telepathic musical chemistry, playing complex individual parts so closely intertwined, it’s hard to tell where […]
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Album review: ‘SleepWalker’
Ryan Sutherland ‘SleepWalker’ Self-released ryansutherland.bandcamp.com Rochester’s Ryan Sutherland is a down-to-earth, folk singer-songwriter with ripping slide guitar skills. Switching between guitar and banjo, he blends elements of country with folk, blues, roots music, and old-timey Americana. He is currently celebrating the release of his second studio album, "SleepWalker," a lighthearted storybook dedicated to his partner, […]
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Album review: ‘Dream in Rhythm’
Soviet Dolls ‘Dream in Rhythm’ Self-released sovietdolls.com Since 2012, Soviet Dolls has pierced a hole in the Rochester music scene with its blend of trippy, electronic beats and cosmic songwriting style. Its debut, full-length album, "Dream in Rhythm," released November 2018, is a collection of new, previously unreleased tracks as well as remastered versions of […]
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FUNK | Lettuce
Based out of New York City, Lettuce blends funk with elements of soul, blues, psychedelia, hip-hop, and contemporary jazz. Celebrating eight releases since its formation in 1992, Lettuce continues exhilarating audiences around the world with its avant-garde funk fusion. Always ready to throw a party, Lettuce concocts arrangements full of catchy melodies, danceable grooves, and […]
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INDIE ROCK | Weakened Friends
A trio of hipsters from Portland, Maine, Weakened Friends performs angsty pop rock with quizzical vocal melodies, distorted guitar riffs, and untamed energy. Since its formation in 2015, Weakened Friends has released two EP’s and a full-length album, earning Portland Music Awards’ Best Indie Act in 2017. Guitarist Sonia Sturino sings with an exasperated, shriek-like […]
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JAM ROCK | moe.
A jam band that went from playing parties at University of Buffalo to headlining major music festivals, moe. has demonstrated perseverance and vitality since forming in 1990. The quintet blends progressive improve rock with Americana, blues, country, psychedelia, and more. The songs’ lyrics have a speedy delivery with honest and poetic rawness, while complex instrumental […]
