Artist to Watch

How they got their funk
By Vanessa Pearce
September 24, 2011 - 5:50pm
Sophistafunk, a homegrown Syracuse band that started in 2007, uses improvisation, the audience and other bands to help them create their unique music.

Four years ago, Newhouse graduate Adam Gold sat in on performances by Jack Brown (who was a Newhouse student) and Emanuel Washington at Syracuse's own 'Funk 'n' Waffles.' A jam session with a big group of guys eventually whittled down to just the three men, and Sophistafunk was born.

"It's more of a statement than a generic name," said Brown, the band's MC and lyricist. "It sets you up for the band itself."

CNY Concert Calendar (April and May): Ra Ra Riot returns
By Nathan Mattise
April 6, 2011 - 1:30pm
The SU alums come through the area three times before the semester ends to highlight the remaining spring concert calendar.

The local concert calendar has finally picked up for the stretch run. Thirty-eight days remain in the semester and at least 28 shows (OK, 26 pre- the official semester's end) exist that are worth seeing in CNY... and there are even more than that. To help navigate how to spend your last music viewing month, here are three recommendations:

Quick picks for the SXSW Orange Influencers Playlist
By Nathan Mattise
March 6, 2011 - 2:39pm
The iSchool is looking for a mixtape of SU artists to hype at SXSW, here are three quick suggestions from Otto-Tune.

Syracuse's social media presence has been making things happen for quite some time now and this week they came up with another great idea for the iSchool's upcoming SXSW Orange Influencers party: 

Let a 'Cuse alum DJ the event. Let the playlist be comprised of 'Cuse artists.

This week in SU music: More shows by campus acts, new Diplo tickets and another UU survey
By Nathan Mattise
February 24, 2011 - 9:11am
A new batch of available Diplo tickets highlights the music happenings on campus this week.

Local Act to Watch: Sarongs
By Dan Creahan
February 12, 2011 - 4:45pm
Sarongs latest gig at The Lost Horizon proved there's no excuse to miss their next one.

If you haven’t listened to Sarongs yet, do it now. Click away from whatever other
diversion you’re currently enthralled with and check them out. Then make every effort to see
them play live as soon and as often as you can. February 26 at The Lost Horizon would be a good start.

This week in SU music: Campus bands, mtvU voting, Phantogram and Ra Ra Riot
By Nathan Mattise
February 8, 2011 - 12:03pm
Ra Ra Riot's recent Wescott show announcement headlines the music happenings impacting SU within the last two weeks.
  • The Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band (you could call them a CMJ darling) is currently streaming a new seven song EP on their Facebook page. They're also opening for Tea Leaf Green tomorrow night at the Wescott Theater.

 

Preview: Grammy-winner Branford Marsalis to jazz up SU's family weekend
By Ana Barbu
September 24, 2010 - 1:56pm
Marsalis brings his brand of Coltrane-influenced jazz to the Schine Student Center on Sunday.

A jive “cat” with a cosmopolitan spirit and a broad musical scope, saxophonist Brandford Marsalis plays anything, (from jazz, blues and funk to classical music) and anywhere, (from small jazz clubs to the world’s largest concert halls). It’s no wonder this New Orleans native is a three-time Grammy award winner.

St. Vincent coming to Ithaca
By Trevor Jett Wells
September 29, 2009 - 8:39pm
Indie-pop singer, songwriter and musician Annie Clark makes her way to Ithaca in October.

If you don't know who St. Vincent is, get acquainted. She's coming to Ithaca on Oct. 22. 

St. Vincent, a.k.a. Annie Clark and her supporting band, are an electric live band. I was lucky enough to catch Annie Clark perform over the summer at the 2009 All Points West Festival in Liberty Park, NJ, and I underestimated her big-time. With Jimi Hendrix guitar skills, and sultry vocals, Annie Clark is a stead-fast rising star. 

Artist to Watch: Neon Indian
By Trevor Jett Wells
September 24, 2009 - 10:44pm
Brooklyn-based Neon Indian is poised to release the electro-pop debut "Psychic Chasms."

Alan Palomo, the electronic maestro behind Brooklyn-based Neon Indian, is catching fire in indie-rock circles. But what people don’t realize is he’s been in the game for a while now with his disco-house DJ act, VEGA, and he’s still only 21 years old. His young but already prolific career is impressive to say the least, and if Neon Indian’s upcoming debut, Psychic Chasms, is any indication of Palomo’s future, the sky is the limit.

Artist to Watch: Phantogram
By Nathan Mattise
September 22, 2009 - 9:07pm
Phantogram, a band based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., delivers tons of energy and electro beats.

I was in Geneva, N.Y., last February solely to see Ra Ra Riot. It was a literal homecoming for CNY’s indie darlings, since guitarist Milo Bonacci is originally from Geneva.  And, as usual, their set didn’t disappoint. But yet another Ra Ra Riot triumph isn’t what I left raving about.

Instead, I was introduced that night to a duo from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., called Phantogram. They were the opener’s opener and, since it was held in the local opera house...