The photo of James Lopata’s parents meeting Pope John Paul II hangs near his front door but somehow doesn’t command attention. Lopata’s paternal grandmother grew up with John Paul in Wadowice, Poland, so he had a family connection. When he mentions the pin his mother wore to greet the pontiff, the scene becomes downright revolutionary. […]
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REVIEW | ‘Siren’ by Delaney West
It’s almost autumn, and Delaney West has created a collection perfect for cozy days. Fans of indie folk should save the date for September 18, when West releases her intimate debut album, “Siren.” These eight thoughtful tracks were recorded locally at Submarine Sound Studio with Ben Morey manning production. The record is simple and spellbinding, […]
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REVIEW | ‘In Plain Sight: The Black Anthology’
Perhaps you are curious to experience the overlooked work of important Black American composers. There’s a chance that you are a fan of classical songs, or intrigued to hear the works of poets including Langston Hughes in musical form. If you’re someone with a bit of local Rochester pride, you might want to embrace achievements […]
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REVIEW | ‘Greatest Almosts’ by Dufus
In case we needed a reminder of the singular songwriting voice of long-time Rochesterian Seth Faergolzia, his former freak folk band Dufus’s retrospective album “Greatest Almosts” provides the necessary jolt. Faergolzia’s gymnastic melodies and zany use of group vocals take the fore in this 16-song set culled from the band’s 20-year run. But it’s the […]
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REVIEW | ‘Analog Dreams’ by Aloefi
“Analog Dreams,” the debut album from Rochester DJ/producer Aloefi, resides nicely within the catalog of Portland-based label Cold Busted Records. Like much of the independent label’s brand of warm lo-fi instrumental hip-hop, “Analog Dreams” is built around sample manipulation that is inventive but rarely flashy, hovering just beneath the audible surface at all times. Despite […]
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REVIEW | ‘Solo Street’ by Greg Townson
Homegrown favorite Greg Townson released his first collection of solo guitar instrumentals, “Solo Street,” in late May. The 10-song record showcases sweet fingerpicking and clean, articulate fretwork. It’s about dynamics, not gymnastics, and illustrates the work of a practiced craftsman. Townson is usually recognized for his work with Rochester’s Hi-Risers, his collaborations with Nick Lowe […]
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REVIEW | ‘North Country Blue’ by Seungyoung Hong and Paul Meyers Duo
What happens when two great minds do, in fact, think alike? Apparently, they make an album of inspired and captivating jazz songs. “North Country Blue” is a new nine-track album from Seungyoung Hong and Paul Meyers. With Hong on bass and Meyers on guitar, they explore some wildly imaginative interplay between their instruments but still […]
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REVIEW | ‘Moonlight Passes On’ by Attic Abasement
“Moonlight Passes On” is Rochester-based Attic Abasement’s first record in about 10 years. Helmed by the prolific Mike Rheinheimer, AA is an acoustic guitar-driven indie rock, raucous collective with a good number of releases under its belt within 20-plus years of existence. This new one consists of short, but somehow slow-building, under-the-radar blips that’ll turn […]
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REVIEW | My Morning Jacket and Guster at Hoochenanny Festival
Jim James’ entire musical modus operandi might as well be “this dude is in love with his guitar.” That’s something someone might say if their entire exposure to James’ band, My Morning Jacket, was the Southern-rock banger “Mahgeetah” from 2003’s opus, “It Still Moves.” In fairness to this hypothetical plebe, the song is literally called […]
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Phoebe Bridgers listening parties coming to Strasenburgh Planetarium
A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has chosen Rochester’s Strasenburgh Planetarium to help promote her latest album. New music from Phoebe Bridgers can soon be heard as part of a laser show and with special projections in the venue’s dome. The “Lost Weekend Planetarium Experience” kicks off Monday, August 10 and runs through the album’s release on Friday, August 14. The listening parties give fans […]
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The artist burning wood to reach ‘Elevated Places’
The walls of ARTISANworks pop with fine-art paintings, kitschy collectibles and even a pinhole camera built from a Tibetan skull. This month, the art-dense venue will also be home to woodworks that channel ancient mythology and wisdom via earthy presentation. “Elevated Places,” a gallery event on August 8 presented by the Rochester Black Arts Council, […]
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REVIEW | ‘The Commons’ by Thornéd Crown
Thornéd Crown may describe themselves as a “dungeon folk outfit,” but the Rochester band’s debut cassette release “The Commons” is a stylistically diverse collection of (mostly) instrumental songs, ranging from the modal psych raga of “Swamprun,” reminiscent of Kikagaku Moyo or Goat, to the ‘70s folk horror movie soundtrack territory of “Torchlight.” Expanse by Thorned […]
