music videos

Flash Mob Marks End Of Summer

Small Town Catskills

Halcottsville, NY – Labor Day weekend for the Catskills has come to mean an influx of  Air BnB hipsters, long lines at the store, a four day seafood station at Freshtown, actual real traffic jams, fireworks in the park, and packed farmers’ markets.

The weekend would not be complete without the Halcottsville Flash Mob, a tradition that keeps on growing.

Carried out by the local neighbors and weekenders alike at the Seuss property, the gathering begins around 7pm, but the preparation begins weeks earlier. You see, the whole point is for the DURR passengers, onboard the dinner/music train that runs from Arkville, NY to Roxbury, NY, to get treated to dancing torches in the Seuss’ back yard that appear from the darkness just as the train slows to the perfect viewing spot.

I guess you kind of have to be there…

In case you weren’t, here is a fun edit I did of the almost seven minute event, now under three minutes, as I took liberty to focus on the highlights and re-arrange the song a bit. I hope Johnny Cash and Blues Maneuver don’t mind too much.

Halcottsville Flash Mob Torches for the Train to Ring of Fire 9.2.17 from Mountain Girl Photography… on Vimeo.

A fire dance flash mob choreographed to “Ring of Fire” by Johny Cash performed by Blues Maneuver on 9.2.17 in the small hamlet of Halcottsville, NY. (Please note, song was re-arranged for post editing purposes)

Wild Child in Woodstock 1.22.16

Catskills Music

Austin-based band Wild Child found their way to Woodstock  in the Catskills of New York for Radio Woodstock 100.1 Lunch Lounge.  Van break-downs and ice aside, on Friday, January 22, the Indie Rock band took over the stage with a plethora of instruments and a spirited energy.

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Wild Child, Left-Right: Evan Majers, Keyboard | Jay Goodman, Bass | Alexander Beggins, Ukulele & Lead Vocals | Kelsey Wilson, Lead Vocals & Violin | Alex Beckmann, Drums | Matt Bradshaw, Banjo & Trumpet | Sadie Wolfe, Cello

Promoting their third album ‘Fools‘ (Dualtone), they kicked off the mini-concert with Bullets, a song showcasing their ability to turn the saddest story into an upbeat lyrical therapy session.  Matt Bradshaw’s optimistic trumpet solo lifted the entire mood.

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Kelsey Wilson

Moving on to the title track, Fools, barefoot Kelsey Wilson’s repetition of “If you have to go, I’ll play the fool,” became a mantra of acceptance and positivity that accompanied Sadie Wolfe’s artful cello. Along with the chorus, bassist Jay Goodman mades sure this song stays in your head and in your heart. (Note: bass recorded by Chris D’Annunzio on the album itself).

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Jay Goodman | Alexander Beggins | Kelsey Wilson | Alex Beckmann

Their third song, Meadows, actually #5 on the new album, highlighted the incredible writing team that is  Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins (uke & lead vocals).  Wilson and Beggins co-wrote every song on this album, with the exception of Fools and The Cracks, of which the entire band contributed.

Then came Break Bones, a “fight-fair” song with a dramatic introduction by keyboardist Evan Magers and Alex Beckmann on drums (note: Drew Brunetti recorded the drums for the album itself.)  Incredible lyrics with meaningful harmonies:  “There is more breaking here then we could ever mend.”  Just a stellar line, highlighting the power our words can have on our loved ones. This crew does not fear digging deep, and sharing their lessons.

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Sadie Wolfe

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Matt Bradshaw | Sadie Wolfe

Reno, mellow and reminiscent, pleases us with solid strings.  Towards the end of the song there was a dance between the purposeful picking of the ukulele and an almost melancholy cello.  A stunning juxtaposition.

Ending the concert with the  #4 track Stones, we were treated to the harmonious vocal duo of Wilson and Beggins.

All are encouraged to visit Wild Child’s website and get their hands and ears on this album. The listener will undeniably be reminded of the vocalizations that branded the Irish alternative rock band The Cranberries. Each track is a song-writing gem of its own merit, and each instrument finds a perfect home in this wild family of buoyant diversity.

-Rebecca Andre

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Wild Child in Woodstock 1.22.16

 

How to Keep the Local Music/Art Scene Alive

Catskills Music

The local music movement depends on small businesses working together. Its a symbiotic relationship.   The bar in town hires the band. The band hires a promoter/photographer/blogger. Its a busy night (as a result of the crowd-pleasing band being there) so the wait staff does well on tips.  The audience is impressed, someone grabs a business card, checks out the website, and hires the band for their next event.

And so the cycle repeats.

The following is an example of how this all works: A local favorite, the Ben Rounds Band, was hired by a local venue.  A photographer (me) put together the promotion of the event, and proceeded to video the 1st set.  Next, an exciting new collaboration between the promoter (me) i.e.  (Mountain Girl Photography & Design) and Fred Cristiani, aka bass player for B.R.B. then led to the latest production by MGP&D…a band booking demo complete with a fun time-lapse.  Next, an employee of a local business hired the band for their upcoming outdoor celebration.

Above: One of the many Ben Rounds videos on YouTube

So do yourself, your favorite local band, and your community a favor: watch and share this booking demo, hire local bands, or at least support them at their gigs.  Show appreciation by tipping the band, and keep them in mind the next time you want to hire entertainment.  You will be supporting not just the local music scene, but local artists who specialize in the promotion of music, local restaurants, and everyone in between.

Keep the local music scene alive!

(Find original blog post here, for my client Ben Rounds.)

Watch the fun “My Dog LiL” video that chronicles the day of a three-legged Jack Russell Terrier!