1809 Studios and its owner Dave Drago are celebrating the recording hub’s five-year anniversary this month. Drago’s mission has been to create a comfortable, welcoming studio that delivers Los Angeles-quality recordings at Western New York prices.
Katie Halligan
Posted inMusic
ACOUSTIC POP | Chris Trapper
Former frontman of 90’s alt-rock band The Push Stars, Chris Trapper has made a name for himself, touring North America and the United Kingdom since 2002. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he performs infectious soft rock melodies, telling relatable stories with an affable presence. Singing bittersweet pop ballads with sincerity and yearning, he has a familiar, […]
Posted inMusic
BLUES ROCK | Vinyl Orange Ottoman
Radiating heat from start to finish, Vinyl Orange Ottoman delivers high-energy soul music that’s sure to make you sweat. Currently working on its third studio album, the Rochester-based sextet fuses funky rock ‘n’ roll grooves with gospel-soul power and bluesy undertones. The band’s music is simultaneously nostalgic of the good old days and forging ahead […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Sounds of Oppari’
Elusive Travel ‘Sounds of Oppari’ Self-released reverbnation.com/elusivetravel Metal-gaze trio Elusive Travel began in 2000, led by singer-guitarist Chris Dalcin. Now with bassist Matt Roselli and drummer Cory Olcott, the band unleashes a head-banging thrill ride of pulsing, heavy rock music mixed with post-metal, shoegaze, and doom on “Sounds of Oppari.” Dive into crashing sonic waves […]
Posted inMusic
Album review: ‘Dreams on Hold’
Sarah Eide ‘Dreams on Hold’ Self-released saraheide.com Singer-songwriter Sarah Eide’s new album “Dreams on Hold” poetically reflects the trials and tribulations of being a woman in modern society. Influenced by her classical roots and the wonder of nature, Eide blends elements of pop, blues, roots, soul, and gospel to create an enthralling Americana storybook. Her […]
Posted inMusic
INDIE ROCK | Calicoco
Singer-songwriter Giana Caliolo went from drummer in Pony Hand to the leader of the shoegaze trio, Calicoco. Backed by bassist Matthew DeWaters and drummer Andy Baker, Caliolo uses her guitar to create melancholic, introspective self-portraits. Having celebrated five releases since 2015, including the debut full-length album “Float,” Calicoco is currently embarking on an East Coast […]
Posted inMusic
HARDCORE | Birds in Row
Don’t blink or you’ll miss an unexpected twist from French hardcore punk trio Birds in Row. The band chose its name by observing how people seek personal freedom but eventually conform out of comfort. Galvanizing audiences worldwide, Birds in Row is celebrating its second full-length album, “We Already Lost the World.” Prepare to bang your […]
Posted inMusic
ELECTRONIC ROCK | Lespecial
The Boston trio Lespecial shares a lifetime of experiences based on retro video games, horror films, and the indictment of current cultural affairs. Founded in 2005, the band consists of bassist Luke Bemand, guitarist Jonathan Grusauskas, and drummer Rory Dolan. Celebrating its second studio album, “Cheen,” Lespecial is a refreshing cocktail of reinvented genres — […]
Posted inMusic
ZYDECO | Hypnotic Clambake
Hypnotic Clambake provides sophisticated entertainment and humorous lyrics, shapeshifting through genres and harmonies with technical fluidity. The multi-genre collective from Rochester consists of frontman and accordion player Maury Rosenberg, bassist Chris Reynolds, drummer Mark Phillips, guitarist JoAnn Phillips, and horn player Tim Hull. The music is a fondue pot of Latin, polka, Americana, psychedelia, rock, […]
Posted inMusic
INDIE ROCK | Vacation Daze
Rochester quartet Vacation Daze brings a new, energetic blend of party pop, psychedelia, and soul to the stage. Consisting of bassist Jim DeWitt, vocalist-keyboardist Ian Egling, drummer Billy Martin, and guitarist Sage Xavier, the band is currently celebrating the release of its first full-length studio album, “Upswing!” Vacation Daze is like a mix of The […]
Posted inMusic
PUNK-POP | Marquee Grand
Buffalo-based trio Marquee Grand embodies an angsty, youthful spirit by mixing elements of rock, pop, punk, and blues. Formed in 2015, the band is made up of singer-songwriter John Richter, guitarist Josh Owczarzak, and drummer Matt Lawniczak. Marquee Grand delivered its self-titled, debut EP in 2016, and is currently celebrating the release of its newest […]
Posted inMusic
ELECTRONIC | CharlestheFirst
Precocious electronic songwriter Charles Ingalls, a.k.a. CharlestheFirst, creates lavish psychedelic soundscapes. Inspired by the natural rhythms of the universe, he’s taken his ethereal hip-hop from his hometown in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to a national audience. CharlestheFirst lets the nature of music speak for itself, providing a meditative experience with only whispers of vocal samples […]
