Photography by Megan Mumford
Sure, some of the Capital Region’s largest live music venues bring in the biggest stars of today to play sold-out shows to cheering crowds. But did you know that upstate New York is home to an impressive community of musicians that are making and performing world-class music every day of the week? You’ve heard of shopping local…This summer, we challenge you to support the Capital Region’s vibrant music scene by listening local. Here are five favorite acts to get you started.
Artist/Band: Buggy Jive
Member(s): Bryan Thomas
Genre: “If Prince and Joni Mitchell had a baby.”
Home Base: Delmar
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Known For: Making music in his basement studio and occasionally venturing above ground to perform live
Local Band Recommendation: The Kamikaze Hearts and Jed Davis
Link to Listen: buggyjive.com
What’s something interesting about you as a musician? I’m a recovering English major, so literary references seep into the songs now and again. You don’t need to know Othello to understand and appreciate a song like “What Do Y’all Know About Shakespeare?” But if you do know it, it can be fun to catch an Easter egg here and there.
What’s your music-making philosophy? My favorite album growing up was Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace. My first concert was Ozzy Osbourne. The first album I ever asked my parents to buy me was the original Broadway cast album for The Wiz. The last few big venue shows I’ve seen: Springsteen, Beyoncé, Joni Mitchell, and Kendrick Lamar. For millions of people, loving all these different music styles in equal amounts and at the same time is not an odd thing. I make music for those people.
Artist/Band: Zan & the Winter Folk
Member(s): Zan Strumfeld (vocals/guitar), Michael Gregg (banjo), Will Brown (lead guitar), Sean Fortune (upright bass), Brandan Tompkins (drums)
Genre: Indie folk/americana
Home Base: Troy
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Cohoes Music Hall and Hangar on the Hudson
Known For: Being a five-piece band
Local Band Recommendation: Motorbike, Sova, and The AM’s
Link to Listen: zanandthewinterfolk.com
What’s something interesting about your group? We’re an accidental band. Zan was a solo musician and was invited to a play a gig that she felt needed a fuller sound. She asked a couple of her friends who played music a few days before the show to join her; they learned the songs and played the gig. Zan assumed it was a one-time thing and that they all had better things to do. When the gig was over, they all asked her, “So, when’s our next practice?” That was nearly eight years ago.
What’s your music-making philosophy? Write songs that make you feel something, whether it’s joy, heartbreak, hope, or envy. These are the songs that really connect the most with our audience.
Artist/Band: Caity Gallagher
Genre: “I’ve settled on indie-folk singer-songwriter, but I’ve had others describe my style as indie pop, americana, and acoustic soul.”
Home Base: Troy
Favorite Local Venue to Play: The Eleven at Lark Hall
Known For: Having a full gig calendar; she performs somewhere around the Capital Region once or twice a week
Local Band Recommendation: Zan & the Winter Folk
Link to Listen: caitygallaghermusic.com
What’s something interesting about you as a musician? Although I do all of my performing and 90 percent of my writing on an acoustic guitar, I have an 18-year background in classical piano. Some of my favorite musical influences are more piano-driven, including Carole King and Ben Folds.
How would you describe the Capital Region’s music scene? Ever evolving. Just when I think I’ve met or heard the majority of local musicians, five more amazing artists pop up on the scene. The biggest downside of performing so much is that I’m constantly having FOMO about missing other performer’s shows.
Artist/Band: Sun Natives
Member(s): TJ Hiemel (guitar), Brandon Stewart (drums), Nicholas Warchol (vocals), August Rosa (bass), Craig Dutra (keys “and other stuff”)
Genre: Heavy psych
Home Base: Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga
Favorite Local Venue to Play: No Fun, a basement show, or Desperate Annie’s
Known For: “Visceral live shows with projected visuals. Multi-sensory experiences. Being loud.”
Local Band Recommendation: Abyssmals, Lemon of Choice, G.O.L.E.M., and 100 Psychic Dreams
Link to Listen: sunnatives.bandcamp.com
What’s something interesting about your group? A bunch of us own and operate businesses that involve or are adjacent to the local music scene. TJ owns Love of Fuzz guitar shop in Troy. August owns Pint Sized, is the former owner of No Fun, and throws shows as Dive Presents. Nick owns Herbie’s Burgers and Larkin HiFi. Brandon has a photography business called Still Floating that covers a lot of live shows in the area.
How would you describe the Capital Region’s music scene? Probably the best it’s ever been. Lots of mixed bills. Way less cliquey than it has been in the past. Show attendance in general has been very solid.
Artist/Band: Sova
Member(s): Sophia Subbayya Vastek
Genre: “My music is a mix of classical, jazz, and electronic influences. Or, sometimes I’ll just say it’s ‘cinematic, piano-driven music,’ which is often enough of a way in for folks.”
Home Base: Troy
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Known For: Creating thoughtful spaces for intentional listening and gathering
Local Band Recommendation: Half Waif
Link to Listen: sova.music
What’s something you wish local audiences knew? How financially precarious musicians are right now. The cost of everything in the world has gone up, but the money flowing to artists has not. Most people consume music through streaming (like Spotify), and independent artists don’t make money from that. Touring used to be the way we made money, and now it’s gotten extremely difficult to simply break even on a tour. All this to say, when you see an independent musician performing, just know that every little bit matters. We devote everything, including our own finances, into our music. When you buy something directly from an artist, it means the world to us. So does your presence at a show.
What’s your favorite thing about writing music and performing in this area of the world? One of my favorite things is that my style of music isn’t very prevalent here. It can feel isolating at times, but also like a super power. I love engaging with new audiences who have no idea what to expect from my music, and hopefully winning them over.
