Feeling all kinds of emotions with quinnie at the Drake Underground – May 6, 2023

Indie pop singer/songwriter quinnie from New Jersey exploded onto our collective consciousness via her viral hit "Touch Tank" on TikTok, like many young artists these days. Yes, she had previously released music when she was just a teenager but it was that snippet of a song that finally made her known to a larger audience. …

Duran Duran celebrate Future Past at Budweiser Stage in Toronto – Aug 22, 2022

Forty one years after the release of their self-titled debut album, Duran Duran is still going strong. Besides their well deserved election to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they released their fifteen studio album “Future Past”, released last October. The record sounds very retro, reminding me of past records from the 80s and …

The Piano Man is still keeping the faith at PNC Park – Aug 11, 2022

On Thursday, August 11th, Billy Joel continued his non-stop tour with an incredible show at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. It had been six years since Joel played here and the capacity crowd showed their appreciation. Many fans came to the stadium early to tailgate, getting ready to party with their idol. Having been a Billy …

Wet Leg sells out Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto – Aug 2, 2022

As the “it” band of the last year, Wet Leg has been selling out venues faster than you can say “Isle of Wight”! Toronto was no exception as they stopped by the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Tuesday, even though there were at least four other amazing shows that same evening: Glass Animals, Cage the Elephant, …

Warpaint makes triumphant return to Toronto – July 27, 2022

It's been six years since Warpaint headlined the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Returning to a full house at the Opera House, the band saw eager fans packed into the beautiful venue. Personally, I saw the quartet of Emily Kokal (guitar/vocals), Theresa Wayman (guitar/vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass/vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums) at the Music …

Death Cab for Cutie plays to packed ArtPark – July 11, 2022

With a new LP "Asphalt Meadows" set to be released in September, Death Cab for Cutie hit ArtPark's mainstage in Lewiston on July 11th for a welcome back party. The band is touring extensively through 2022, first with Illuminati Hotties supporting (as they did at ArtPark), then with Low, and finally with Yo la Tengo. …

Howard Jones and Midge Ure keep the 80s alive in Buffalo – July 7, 2022

At the age of 67, 80s hit-maker Howard Jones continues to tour extensively. Yes, those high notes are a little harder to hit now but his fans are there to help him through those. I covered his Acoustic Trio tour when he, bassist and ex-Kajagoogoo member Nick Beggs, and guitarist Robin Boult performed in Ithaca, …

Noga Erez plays JCC Buffalo’s inaugural Creekside Concert – June 28, 2022

Noga Erez is Israel’s biggest pop star…at least according to Erez’s brother Gon. But who can argue with him. Having won Best Newcomer of the Year in 2018 (VIA), her sophomore album “Kids” critically acclaimed, and touring along the likes of Tove Lo and Florence and the Machine, her bona fixes are solid and indicate …

Lo Moon lays down some serious mood at Drake Underground – May 28, 2022

Back in 2017, when Lo Moon was signed to a major label and was touring extensively, it seemed like the band was ready to explode. It didn’t happen, with differences in marketing strategy between the label and the band. Matt Lowell, formed the band, is the lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and wrote much of the …

A Skating Polly punk sandwich at Mohawk Place in Buffalo – April 14, 2022

It was a hell of a night for punk rock at Mohawk Place on Thursday with a trio of Sad Place, Skating Polly, and Together Pangea. Whether you call it emo, ugly pop, or garage rock, it was hard, heart pounding punk rock. I had been following Skating Polly since their collaboration with Veruca Salt …

It was a GROUPLOVE birthday celebration at Brooklyn Steel – Feb 23, 2022

Did you know that on Tuesday 2/22/22 Pluto completed one revolution around the sun after 246 years? Ok, so we missed by one day and it hasn't really been that long since we last saw Grouplove. However, for some of us die-hard fans, it SEEMS that long. The band had just started doing promos in …

The Howard Jones Acoustic Trio re-ignites at the Hangar Theater – Feb 11, 2022

I was just eighteen when “Human’s Lib” was released. With new wave music in full swing at the clubs and “What is Love?” being pondered by young men and women everywhere, Howard Jones and his music became an integral part of my college experience. I had said debut album, “Dream Into Action”, and “One to …

Caroline Polachek throws Thanksgiving Eve party at Cannery Ballroom – Nov 24, 2021

How does a pop artist release an album in 2019, go through the pandemic and come out even more popular than she was going in? That's exactly what happened to Caroline Polachek. It seems that album "Pang" resonated with the public and brought her a huge following for her electro-dream dance pop. It's been a …

Tokyo Police Club celebrates “Champ” at Bowery Ballroom – Nov 19, 2021

Canadian indie-band Tokyo Police Club was originally going to celebrate the ten year anniversary of their Juno nominated second full length album "Champ" in 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic shut things down but when live music started to come back, the band immediately put together a "replacement" tour and a re-issue of that great record. The …

Wolf Alice crushes two nights at Bowery Ballroom – Nov 13, 2021

UK rock band Wolf Alice stopped by the Bowery Ballroom in NYC (Nov 12/13) as they wind down their first tour in three years. Their critically acclaimed third album "Blue Weekend", released last June, has the been the source of much press coverage and garnered them a nomination for the 2021 Mercury Prize. After attending …

Samantha Fish was on fire last night in Buffalo – Nov 2, 2021

Blues/rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Samantha Fish, in the midst of a worldwide tour supporting her seventh studio album "Faster", stopped by Asbury Hall on Tuesday night. Winner of many awards for her blues albums and performances, her new record does skew a bit more pop. That being said, her consummate guitar playing is evident and, …

Larkin Poe rocks the house at Asbury Hall – Oct 12, 2021

What a night of constant searing guitar solos and good old rock and roll!! Are we talking about Eric Clapton? Led Zeppelin? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Nope! It was Larkin Poe who played an electric show at Asbury Hall/Babeville in Buffalo last night and wowed my socks off! The Nashville-based sister duo (Rebecca Lovell on lead vocals …

Billy Idol fans definitely not dancing by themselves at the Capitol Theatre – Sept 22, 2021

Shot for QRO Magazine. You can also view the gallery here. After seeing the crowd at the Sea Hear Now Festival (see my coverage here) singing along to every Billy Idol song just this past weekend, I kinda knew what to expect as I drove up to Port Chester for his headlining show at The …

Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins anchor Sea Hear Now Festival – Sept 18-19, 2021

This past weekend, I photographed my first festival. Pretty unbelievable, isn't it? Even fellow photographers I saw at the Sea Hear Now festival could have sworn they've talked to me at other festivals. As a last minute fill-in, I received my credentials through QRO Magazine. Not knowing quite what to expect, I took the long …

Princess slays Mercury Lounge for last concert ever – Mar 12, 2020

Ok so maybe it won't be the last concert ever but, with the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary social distancing, and many tours/venues cancelled in the near future, Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum's show at Mercury Lounge sure felt like it was going to be the last concert ever. Princess (I'll abbreviate from now on), with …

Caroline Vreeland gets the party started at Mercury Lounge – Mar. 4, 2020

Today may be International Women's Day but a few days ago on Wednesday, March 4th, female artists helped Mercury Lounge celebrate early. Two Rochester based bands with female leads, Roses & Revolutions with singer/keyboardist Alyssa Coco and KOPPS with singer Patricia Patrón, were the co-headliners but, like me, many were here for opener Caroline Vreeland. …

More from Paste Studio: Phoebe Ryan, Anna Akana, Emily King & Magic Giant – Feb 2020

As an introvert, there are some weeks where I just don't want to get out to concerts. Even though being in a large crowd can be a very lonely experience, it's sometimes nice to just have fewer people around. During the last week of February, I skipped full shows and stopped by the Paste Studio …

Local indie bands Wilsen and Purr celebrate respective record releases at Rough Trade – Feb 21, 2020

Friday night was a good night for me to catch up with a couple of local bands that I've been following for awhile: Purr and Wilsen. Also turns out they both had record releases that day. Purr did a signing for their debut record "Like New". Oddly enough, even though I've been seeing them at …

Madison Cunningham provides her fans a double dose in NYC – Jan 28, 2020

You know you're doing something right when your debut LP is nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best Americana Album. At just 22 years old, Madison Cunningham has done just that with her record "Who Are You Now". While she did not win the award, it shows how mature and respected her music is within …

Magdalena Bay electrifies Elsewhere Zone One – Jan 15, 2020

What do you do when your high school rock band's members go to different colleges, making it difficult to continue to collaborate? Keep things simple with just two members and write some pop songs! That's exactly what Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin of Magdalena Bay did when they got back together one winter break. Named …

Sam De Rosa kicks off the new year at Paste Studio – Jan 6, 2019

Songland contestant Sam De Rosa, a native New Yorker who now lives in LA, was visiting family for the holidays but took the time out to come over to Paste Studio to play a set. Recently signed to Monument Records, she played three songs including her first official single "Pill for This", which she wrote …

She & Him bring the joy of Christmas to Kings Theatre – Dec 6, 2019

As the holiday season approached, there were quite a number of Christmas themed shows in and around the city. One of the more anticipated was by the duo She & Him, comprised of actor/singer Zooey Deschanel and guitarist M. Ward (Matthew Stephen Ward). A holiday shows seems apropos since 40% of their total records sales …

Robert Randolph brings a little funk to Paste Studio – Dec 4, 2019

Named one of the top 100 guitarists ever by Rolling Stone Magazine, Robert Randolph & the Family Band have been bringing bluesy funk to audiences for a long time. In August, they released their eighth studio album "Brighter Days" and the music is still going strong. Randolph came into the Paste Studio NYC with "Family" …

MTV Push showcases Lolo Zouaï and Isaac Dunbar in Chelsea – Nov 25, 2019

Young artists showcased by MTV Push tend to be the next big thing. Just take a look a couple of 2019's class: Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and H.E.R. If that's any indication, Lolo Zouaï (aka Laureen Rebeha Zouaï) and Isaac Dunbar are in good company and you can expect their careers to skyrocket and hit our …

Gloria Gaynor gives “Testimony” at Paste Studio – Nov 21, 2019

With a successful forty plus year career behind her, you might think that Gloria Gaynor would sit back and enjoy life...and enjoying life she is! She has a new studio record ("Testimony") out and continues to perform. She says that she just loves to sing and, unlike some "divas" out there, having a million demands …

Karen O & Danger Mouse wow Kings Theatre with Lux Prima – Nov 14, 2019

As a huge Yeah Yeah Yeah's fan as well as being a fan of some of Danger Mouse's previous collaborations, I was extremely excited to not only hear the record "Lux Prima" when it first came out in March but to see the interpretation of that record on stage. When they announced two small "Lux …

Charly Bliss celebrates homecoming at Webster Hall – Nov 13, 2019

Since I just saw Charly Bliss last week at Paste Studio (see coverage here), there isn't much more I can say that I haven't already said. But this headlining show at Webster Hall had a different feeling to it. Opening for Charly Bliss were Chloe mk, winner of the Voice season 13, and singer/songwriter Samantha …

Leslie Odom Jr plays to “full house” at Paste Studio – Nov 6, 2019

Talented singer/actor Leslie Odom Jr, best known for his role as Aaron Burr on Broadway's Hamilton, stopped by Paste Studio to give us a preview of his upcoming album "Mr" which will be released tomorrow, November 8th.  The soulful sounds from that record is based on Odom looking to make music that he feels Nat …

Starcrawler started Halloween early at Music Hall of Williamsburg – Oct 25, 2019

If you miss the old days of don't give a fuck punk, you have to go to a Starcrawler show.  But buyer beware...if you're near the stage, there is plenty of "band/crowd interaction".  You might get water poured on you, a band member may blow their nose over you, your glasses or hat may get …

Echosmith are still cool kids – Oct 25, 2019

In anticipation of their sophomore studio album "Lonely Generation" (release date Jan 10, 2020), Echosmith spent a few days in NYC promoting the upcoming record.  This is their first album since 2013's "Talking Dreams" when they burst into our collective consciousness with "Cool Kids".  A lot has happened to the Sierota siblings (Sydney - vocals/keyboard, …

Sunflower Bean brings a mosh pit to Dr Martens – Oct 17, 2019

If you thought that going to watch a band play in a shoe store would be a pretty chill event, you'd be wrong.  Sunflower Bean concerts are typically wild events with lead vocalist/bassist Julia Cumming exhorting the crowd into a frenzy.  It turns out this Thursday evening was no different. The show started off innocently …

Bishop Briggs’ energy detonates at Webster hall – Oct 15, 2019

With her new studio album "Champion" set to be released on November 8th, Bishop Briggs (aka Sarah Grace McLaughlin) kicked off the US leg of her Champion tour at Webster Hall in NYC.  With three singles ("Champion", "Tattoed on My Heart", and "Jekyll & Hide") already released, fans are eagerly awaiting the new record. Opening for …

Kat Cunning brought tears to everyone’s eyes at Paste Studio – Oct 14, 2019

Singer, songwriter, actor, dancer...Kat Cunning  is doing it all.  Besides acting in HBO's the Deuce and Netflix's Trinkets, she has new music out and will be touring soon.  She stopped by Paste Studio on Monday to play a few songs. After playing her latest single "For the Love", Cunning talked about the story behind the …

Drax Project plays intimate set at YouTube Space NY – Oct 10, 2019

With their debut self-titled album released just two weeks ago, Drax Project stopped by YouTube Space NY for a Q&A and private performance for around seventy five fans.  Splitting time between their native New Zealand and recording in Los Angeles, the band has been lucky enough to almost always stay in warm climates. Shaan Singh …

Avril Lavigne ends five year hiatus with Head Above Water tour – Oct 1, 2019

Sk8er bois and grrrls from the 90s rejoiced when Avril Lavigne announced a tour earlier this year to support her latest record "Head Above Water".  She kicked off the show with images of herself in a white flowing dress on the beach and in the water.  When she came on stage, she had mirrored that …

City Parks Foundation celebrates its 30th anniversary – Sept 26, 2019

It was fitting that Marty Diamond was honored with the SummerStage Icon Award at the 30th Anniversary Gala for the City Parks Foundation.  He has helped promote free music and brought many acts to the park including tonight's performers David Gray, Sara Bareilles and Janelle Monáe.  The event began with a cocktail hour that ended …

Grace Potter feeling a lot of love at Paste Studio – Sept 18, 2019

Talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Grace Potter stopped by Paste Studios on Wednesday as she begins to promote her upcoming solo album “Daylight” set to be released on October 25th. This will be her first studio album since “Midnight” in 2017, which had a more pop/dance vibe. If the first single "Back to Me" (released last …

Vampire Weekend transforms MSG into one big dance floor! – Sept 6, 2019

NOTE: all photographs are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography. Full review and photos also posted on Pancakes & Whiskey! "I think I take myself too serious. It's not that serious." That could represent the evolution of Vampire Weekend's music as they've grown older. Life changes when you're no longer in college but are in your …

Alex Lahey is definitely doing it right – Aug 23, 2019

Friday nights in New York City are meant for partying but, as Alex Lahey says on the first track of her latest LP, "I Don't Get Invited to Parties Anymore".  This Melbourne based singer/songwriter has been coming up with witty and very straightforward lyrics since she first entered our collective consciousness with "You Don’t Think …

Bishop Briggs gets emotional at private gig on the Lower East Side – Aug 22, 2019

It's a busy time for British singer/songwriter Bishop Briggs (aka Sarah Grace McLaughlin).  After releasing her debut LP "Church of Scars" in 2018, she has kept on writing, releasing her latest single "Champion" just last month.  Last night, Universal Music threw a her private party at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, old renovated church on the …

VH1 Save the Music hosts H.E.R. and Samm Henshaw at Lincoln Center Out of Doors – Aug 9, 2019

When it was announced that R&B star and multi-instrumentalist H.E.R. (aka Gabriella Wilson) would be headlining a free show at Damrosch Park as part of the summer's Lincoln Center Out of Doors series, I knew it was going to be a madhouse...and rightfully so.  Fans started lining up as early as nine in the morning to …

Rubblebucket shone but Guster rained out at Summerstage – Aug 8, 2019

It started off as a beautiful afternoon in Central Park but ended with lightning and a downpour.  Alternative band Guster is touring on the heels of their eighth record "Look Alive" with Brooklyn-based indie band Rubblebucket joining them for the last couple of shows.  This Summerstage show was a benefit to support the City Parks Foundation. Rubblebucket …

Sarah McLachlan soothes the soul at Forest Hills Stadium – Aug 2, 2019

Growing up in the 90s saw the emergence of alternative rock and grunge. But if you were into female singer/songwriters, artists such as FIona Apple, Norah Jones, Dido, and Alanis Morissette also hit the spotlight. As part of that list of amazing songwriters, Sarah McLachlan not only gave us multi-platinum albums "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" and …

Oh Wonder thrills Summerstage – July 9, 2018

catch up post Electro-pop band Oh Wonder continued their 2018 tour at Summerstage in New York City's Central Park at the heels of their 2017 record "Ultralife".  Opening was singer/songwriter Sasha Sloan (aka Alexandra Artourovna Yatchenko), who's debut EP "Sad Girl" was released in April. NOTE: all photographs are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography Oh …

Chvrches celebrates with fans at the iHeartRadio Theatre – May 22, 2018

still in catch up mode Scottish electronic pop band Chvrches hosted the record release party for their latest record "Love is Dead" at iHeartRadio's tiny venue in Tribeca on a sunny day in May.  With a capacity under 200, it promised to be an intimate event.  This photographer was lucky enough to score a quick …

COUNTERFEIT gets down and dirty at Knitting Factory – May 1, 2018

(still in catch up mode) You may be familiar with British punk band COUNTERFEIT lead singer and guitarist Jamie Campbell Bower from his acting work on the Twilight trilogy, Mortal Instruments, or Sweeney Todd.  I wasn't but found out quickly as I waited on line with his many fans.  Don't let that sway you into …

K Flay slays Warsaw (yeah i know) – Mar 20, 2018

(Still in catch-up mode) After playing her sold out show at Irving Plaza, K.Flay followed it up with another incredible performance at Warsaw. Opening for her was young Brit, Yungblud (aka Dominic Harrison), who got the crowd energized with his hard hitting hip hop inspired act. Thanks to Loudie NYC for the tickets! NOTE: all photographs …

Dr. Martens Customization Tour featuring Charly Bliss – Feb 21, 2018

(Still in catch-up mode) Dr. Martens kicked off their customization tour with food, drinks, swag and a kickin' live set from Charly Bliss.  This indie pop/rock band was set to explode as they would tour later in 2018 with Death Cab for Cutie.  Baby's All Right could barely contain their infectious energy but that's exactly …

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